Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, according to a presidential decree issued on Monday. No official reason was provided for the abrupt decision.
Starovoit had served in the role since May 2024, following nearly five years as governor of the western Kursk region. His tenure as governor ended shortly before Ukrainian forces launched a significant cross-border offensive into Kursk — their most extensive incursion into Russian territory since the war began in 2022.
Starovoit previously headed Rosavtodor, Russia’s federal highway agency, for six years and held various roles in the transport sector before entering regional politics.
His predecessor, Vitaly Savelyev, was promoted to deputy prime minister. According to Russian daily Vedomosti, Starovoit’s likely successor is his current deputy, Andrei Nikitin, who also served as governor of the Novgorod region.
The unexpected shake-up comes as Russia faces mounting pressure on its domestic infrastructure due to the ongoing war and Western sanctions.