Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
His body was found in a car with a gunshot wound.
His body was found with a gunshot wound in a car.
Fired Russian Minister Found Dead
Roman Starovoit, Russia’s former Transport Minister, was found dead just hours after being abruptly dismissed by President Vladimir Putin. Authorities are treating the case as a suspected suicide.
Kremlin Announces Dismissal Early Monday
The news of Starovoit’s firing came via a decree published Monday morning on the Kremlin’s official website.
No reasons were given for his sudden removal.
Deputy Minister Steps In as Interim Replacement
Andrey Nikitin, previously Starovoit’s deputy, was appointed acting transport minister the same day, signaling a swift transition within the department.
Kremlin Offers No Clear Explanation
When asked for the reasoning behind the dismissal, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it wasn’t due to a “lack of trust” but provided no further clarification.
Body Discovered in Car with Gunshot Wound
According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, Starovoit’s body was found inside a vehicle, bearing a gunshot wound.
Authorities said suicide is the leading theory, though the investigation remains open.
A Political Career Spanning Multiple Roles
Before heading the Transport Ministry, Starovoit served as governor of Russia’s Kursk region—a post that later saw him blamed, at least in part, for security shortcomings.
Ukraine Tensions Cast a Shadow
Although Starovoit left his governorship before a surprise Ukrainian incursion into Kursk, the incident reignited criticism of his leadership during an increasingly volatile period.
Chaos in Russian Airspace the Same Weekend
Coinciding with his dismissal, Russia faced widespread flight disruptions.
Nearly 500 flights were canceled, nearly 90 diverted, and 1,900 delayed, straining the country’s aviation network.
Vague Claims of “External Interference”
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency attributed the travel chaos to “external interference,” though it didn’t offer specifics.
The timing raised eyebrows given the escalating conflict with Ukraine.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes Reportedly Intercepted
The Russian Defense Ministry later claimed over 400 Ukrainian long-range attacks were intercepted during the same period, hinting at a broader context of national security concerns.
