Putin Associate Starovoit Dies Hours After Dismissal

Roman Starovoit, a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, was discovered deceased in his vehicle in a Moscow suburb on Monday. Authorities in Russia have suggested that the cause of death was likely suicide. Since 2022, there have been numerous reported suicides among the political and business elite closely associated with Putin.

Starovoit, who was 53 years old, was abruptly dismissed from his position as Russia’s transport minister by President Putin. This dismissal occurred just hours before his death. Starovoit had held the position of transport minister since May 2024, prior to which he served as the governor of the Kursk region, an area of strategic importance for Russia’s logistics and military operations. His removal from office came at a time when the country was facing significant transportation challenges, including widespread flight cancellations due to Ukrainian drone attacks and a major ammonia leak at a Leningrad port.

The Kremlin has not provided a specific reason for Starovoit’s dismissal. However, reports suggest that he may have been facing a potential criminal investigation related to alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as governor.

Starovoit’s death is the latest in a series of high-profile fatalities among Russia’s elite since 2022. Many of these individuals, who held prominent positions in the energy, finance, and infrastructure sectors, have died under circumstances that have raised questions about internal power struggles, corruption investigations, and the shifting loyalties within the Kremlin. Starovoit is the fourth minister to die during this period.

The timing of Starovoit’s death, occurring mere hours after his dismissal, adds to the speculation surrounding his fate. His case is reminiscent of a pattern observed among Russia’s elite, where high-profile officials, oligarchs, and business leaders with close ties to the Kremlin have met their ends under mysterious or violent circumstances. These incidents, often referred to as “sudden Russian death syndrome,” include apparent suicides, falls from windows, and unexplained accidents.

This episode highlights the fragile nature of elite status in Putin’s Russia and the unpredictable repercussions for those who fall out of the president’s favor.