Russian minister found dead hours after being sacked by Putin
Hours later, the body of Mr Starovoyt, 53, was found in his car with a gunshot wound, according to Russia's Investigative Committee, the top criminal investigation agency.
A criminal probe has been launched into Mr Starovoyt's death and investigators see suicide as the most likely cause, according to committee's spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko.
Russian media have reported that Mr Starovoyt's dismissal could have been linked to an investigation into the embezzlement of state funds allocated for building fortifications in the Kursk region where he served as governor before being appointed transport minister.
The alleged embezzlement has been named as one of the reasons behind deficiencies in Russia's defensive lines that failed to stem a Ukrainian incursion in the region that was launched in August 2024.
Mr Starovoyt's successor as Kursk governor, Alexei Smirnov, stepped down in December and was arrested on embezzlement charges in April.
Some in the Russian media have alleged that Mr Starovoyt also could have faced charges as part of the investigation.
Mr Starovoyt's dismissal also followed a weekend of travel chaos as Russian airports were forced to ground hundreds of flights due to Ukrainian drone attacks.
An official order releasing Mr Starovoyt from his post was published on the Kremlin's website on Monday morning. It did not give a reason for his dismissal.
Shortly before the news about Mr Starovoyt's death broke, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the reasons behind his dismissal.
Mr Peskov praised Mr Starovoyt's replacement, Andrei Nikitin, who was appointed deputy transport minister five months ago.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
8 minutes ago
- Reuters
Oil tycoon Shvidler loses appeal over UK's Russian sanctions
LONDON, July 29 (Reuters) - Billionaire oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler on Tuesday lost his appeal against British sanctions imposed on him over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine at the UK's Supreme Court, a ruling lawyers said makes it difficult for similar challenges to succeed. Russian-born Shvidler, who is a British and U.S. citizen, was sanctioned over his association with former Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, plus his former position as a director of London-listed Russian steel producer Evraz (EVRE.L), opens new tab. Shvidler – whose net worth is estimated by Forbes magazine at $1.6 billion – appealed to the Supreme Court, with his lawyers arguing that others with greater involvement in business of importance to Russia were not sanctioned, citing BP's (BP.L), opens new tab previous joint venture with Rosneft ( opens new tab. The Supreme Court rejected Shvidler's appeal by a four-to-one majority in a ruling that Shvidler said "brings me back to the USSR". The ruling also maintains Britain's 100% record of defending its Russian sanctions in court. Shvidler said in a statement that no British companies or business people with ties to Russian state-owned companies have been sanctioned, adding that Britain's sanctions were "more about cheap virtue-signalling for purely political purposes". "There may be little public sympathy for me, as a wealthy US/UK businessman, but this judgment applies to all who face state power," he added. Britain's Foreign Office, which has overseen the sanctioning of more than 1,700 individuals or entities since Russia's invasion, welcomed the ruling "and the message it sends about the strength of the UK sanctions regime". Shvidler had said British sanctions have destroyed his business and disrupted his and his family's lives. His lawyers previously said he has no involvement in or influence over Russian politics and had not even been to Russia since attending the late Russian President Boris Yeltsin's funeral in 2007. But the majority of the Supreme Court ruled that the sanctions struck a fair balance between Shvidler's rights and the aims of the sanctions regime. In the majority's judgment, Judges Philip Sales and Vivien Rose said sanctioning Shvidler "sends a clear signal to people in Mr Shvidler's position that they would be wise to distance themselves from Russian business now". But Judge George Leggatt, in a strident dissenting ruling, said Britain's "flimsy reasons" for sanctioning Shvidler did not justify the "serious invasion of liberty" sanctions entailed. He noted BP's profitable joint venture with Rosneft, having two members on its board, and said it was irrational to only sanction Shvidler if "sanctioning an individual for working as a director of a company which had invested in the Russian extractives sector was thought likely to contribute to achieving the purposes" of British sanctions. BP declined to comment. Maia Cohen-Lask, a partner at Corker Binning, said the Supreme Court's ruling was "a huge blow not just for Mr Shvidler but for any person who has been sanctioned despite their lack of any links to the Putin regime". The Supreme Court also dismissed a separate appeal brought by Russian businessman Sergei Naumenko, whose 44 million euro ($51 million) superyacht was detained in London.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
John Swinney gives statement after Donald Trump meeting
The SNP leader attended the opening of the second golf course at Trump's Menie estate in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday, taking the opportunity to raise the concerns of Scottish businesses. A statement from the Scottish Government said that Swinney had urged the US president to consider economic protections for Scotland's whisky and salmon sector, including an exemption for whisky from the 10% tariff applied on UK exports into the US. The SNP leader also presented Trump with proposals – first floated by the Alba Party in late 2024 – to provide Edinburgh Airport with US customs pre-clearance facilities. Several Irish and Canadian cities have "pre-clearance" facilities on site, which allow passengers travelling to the US to go through customs and immigration before boarding the plane. The First Minister said a Scottish version of the same would help 'demonstrate the strength of America's enduring relationship with its friend and partner, Scotland'. The statement further said that the First Minister had been 'unequivocal in demanding action to tackle the 'unbearable, unjust and inhumane' situation unfolding in Gaza, as he urged the president to use his immense influence to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis'. Swinney also raised the issue of Ukraine, calling on Trump to 'stand firm in defence of democracy and peace against Russian aggression'. Speaking after the meeting, Swinney said: 'During our discussions, I was able to represent the interests and values of Scotland directly with the president, specifically, urging him to make the case for tariff exemptions for our world class whisky and salmon sector. 'I believe there is now a window of opportunity to make the case for whisky and at the invitation of the president, I intend to make further representation to him on this matter. READ MORE: Donald Trump in Scotland 'can only be a good thing', says Anas Sarwar 'I implored President Trump to use his immense influence on the Israeli government to end the unbearable, unjust, and inhumane situation unfolding in Gaza, and to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis we are witnessing. 'As a proud country that stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, I urged President Trump to help make those ideals – American ideals – a reality for the people of Ukraine. 'Scotland has consistently stood with the people of Ukraine in defence of freedom, peace and a just society, and we want to see a world where those principles apply to all.'
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
India braces for higher US tariffs, eyes broader trade deal, sources say
NEW DELHI, July 29 (Reuters) - India is preparing to face higher U.S. tariffs — likely between 20% and 25% — on some of its exports as a temporary measure, as it holds off on fresh trade concessions ahead of Washington's August 1 deadline, two Indian government sources said. Instead, New Delhi plans to resume broader trade negotiations when a U.S. delegation visits in mid-August, with the goal of finalising a comprehensive bilateral agreement by September or October, one of the Indian officials told Reuters. "Talks are progressing well, and a delegation is expected in Delhi by mid-August,' one of the Indian government officials said, adding that President Donald Trump could issue a tariff letter imposing duties of 20 or 25% in a "worst-case scenario". "However, we assume it would be a temporary measure, considering the five rounds of trade talks that have taken place. A deal will soon be worked out,' the official said. Trump said on Monday most partners that do not negotiate separate trade deals would soon face tariffs of 15% to 20% on their exports to the United States, well above the broad 10% tariff he imposed in April. His administration will notify some 200 countries soon of their new "world tariff" rate. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC on Monday that talks with India required more negotiations as Trump was more interested in good deals than quick deals. India has shown "strong interest in opening portions of its market" though its trade policy had long focussed on protecting domestic interests, Greer said. Piyush Goyal, India's trade minister, told Reuters last week India is making "fantastic" progress in U.S. trade talks. Indian officials said New Delhi has offered tariff cuts on a wide range of goods and is working to ease non-tariff barriers. However, agriculture and dairy remain 'no-go' areas, with India unwilling to allow imports of genetically modified soybean or corn, or to open its dairy sector. Total bilateral goods trade reached about $129 billion in 2024, with India posting a trade surplus of nearly $46 billion. India is holding back on fresh offers while calibrating its strategy amid broader U.S. tariff threats targeting BRICS nations, including India, over issues such as de-dollarisation and purchases of Russian oil, said another official. "We remain hopeful of securing a deal that gives Indian exporters preferential access compared to our peers," the official said. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media. India's commerce ministry and the U.S. Trade Representative's Office did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comments. "We need more negotiations with our Indian friends to see how ambitious they want to be," Greer said. Analysts said, without a deal, Indian exports could face average U.S. tariffs of around 26%, higher than those faced by Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan or the European Union.
