The (Untimely) Death Of Roman Starovoit Has Rattled Russia’s Elites. Why?

July 14, 2025 
By RFE/RL,
Mike Eckel and Mykyta Peretiatko



Hours after being fired by President Vladimir Putin, Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead from a gunshot wound in a parking area in a Moscow suburb. A week later, the circumstances of his death are still unclear. But the event has spooked Russia’s political elite in a way not seen in a very long time. Here’s why.