Reports varied regarding the timeline of Starovoit’s death. The leading theory is that he ended his own life, according to state investigators on Monday.

Roman Starovoit was found dead in his car outside Moscow with a gunshot wound. Source: AAP / Kommersant Photo / Evgeniy Razumniy

Russia’s investigative committee, which probes major crimes, said it was working to establish the precise circumstances.

In April this year, Starovoit’s successor as governor, Alexei Smirnov, faced charges of embezzling money allocated for defense purposes amid allegations that the funds meant for border defenses were misappropriated, leaving Kursk more exposed to Ukrainian attacks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and former transport minister Roman Starovoit in January. Source: AAP / AP / Gavriil Grigorov

Pressed earlier by reporters on whether his dismissal meant Putin had lost trust in Starovoit over Kursk, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “A loss of trust is mentioned if there is a loss of trust.”

“There is no such wording in the [Kremlin] decree,” he said.

Significant challenges for Russia’s transport sector

Russia’s aviation industry is experiencing a shortage of spare parts, and Russian railways, the nation’s largest employer, are struggling with rising interest expenses as elevated rates, essential to controlling high inflation exacerbated by the war, take their effect.