The Mysterious death of Putin’s dismissed Minister: Suicide or silencing?

In recent years, a troubling trend of suicides, mysterious deaths, and falls from high-rise windows has been observed among top officials and executives in Russia, particularly those associated with major state-run companies like Lukoil and Gazprom. Now, similar suspicions have arisen in the political sphere.

Just a day after being dismissed from his post as Russia’s Minister of Transport, Roman Starovoit was found dead in what is being reported as a suicide.

Dismissal and aftermath

On July 7, President Vladimir Putin officially dismissed Roman Starovoit as Minister of Transport. The corresponding decree was published on Russia’s official legal portal and took effect immediately. No official reason for the dismissal was disclosed.

Andrei Nikitin, the former governor of the Novgorod region, was appointed to replace him as the new Minister of Transport.

Shortly after the dismissal, Russian media, including the "Baza" Telegram channel, reported that Roman Starovoit had been found dead in his home in the village of Myakinino. According to preliminary reports, the suicide may be linked to an impending criminal case. Allegedly, the former head of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, provided testimony implicating Starovoit in corruption cases, which may have triggered the launch of an investigation. Starovoit is suspected of involvement in large-scale fraud related to government contracts during his time as governor of the Kursk region. One focal point is his close ties to the Kursk Region Development Corporation, which was granted permission by regional authorities to independently allocate 19 billion rubles from the state budget and select subcontractors without oversight.

The investigation has also reportedly uncovered irregularities in the purchase of medical supplies for hospitals, as well as in a failed transport reform project. During Starovoit’s governorship, a contract was signed to modernize tram infrastructure and supply new vehicles. However, the project was allegedly never completed, though the allocated funds had already been spent.

In addition to Alexei Smirnov, other key figures such as Vladimir Lukin, General Director of the Kursk Region Development Corporation, and Deputy Maxim Vasiliev also testified against Starovoit. All are currently being held in pre-trial detention.

Found dead in the parking lot

Starovoit’s body was discovered on July 7 in Odintsovo, near Moscow. It was found in the bushes just a few meters from his car in a parking area. His security guards, who had received a message from him about where and when to pick him up, were the first to discover the scene.

To formally identify the body, officials called in Polina, a 25-year-old assistant to Starovoit and a graduate of Kazan Medical University. Known to accompany him on official trips, Polina was rumored to have had a romantic relationship with the former minister. Emergency services transported the body to the morgue following the identification.

Starovoit divorced his wife in 2021 and had two children. In recent years, he was reportedly living with Polina, who began as his assistant during his tenure in Kursk. Over time, their relationship evolved into a close personal connection. She helped organize meetings, handled his correspondence, and was frequently seen by his side. Residents even dubbed her the "first lady" of the Kursk region.

The full details surrounding Starovoit’s death remain unclear. Speculation continues as sources close to the Kremlin and investigative circles release differing accounts. Further official updates and developments are expected in the coming days.