Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: AFP

Russia is facing shock and sadness after the unexpected death of its Transport Minister, Roman Starovoyt. His death happened only a few hours after President Vladimir Putin removed him from his position. Authorities said he died by suicide inside his car on Monday.

Funeral Ceremony and People’s Reactions

Yesterday, several hundred people came to say their final goodbyes to Starovoyt. His funeral was held in Moscow, and his coffin was kept open for mourners to pay their respects. Many government ministers, state officials, and people who worked with him attended. They held bouquets of fresh red roses and stood in silence with sad faces.

However, most people did not want to speak to reporters because they were too shocked. One woman named Valentina, who is 42 years old and works as a translator, spoke briefly. Her husband had worked with Starovoyt. With tears in her eyes, she said, “It’s a great loss and very unexpected. He was always cheerful, active, and loved life very much. I don’t know how this could happen.”

What Happened Before His Death

Before becoming the transport minister, Starovoyt was the governor of Russia’s Kursk region for five years. He worked hard in that role and was later promoted to Moscow as a minister. But a few months after his promotion, Russian troops faced problems at the border with Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers crossed the border and captured many villages, which embarrassed the Russian government and military because they failed to protect the region.

Earlier this year, the new governor of Kursk was arrested for stealing money that was meant to build strong defences at the border. Experts believe Starovoyt was being blamed for this failure even though it was not completely his fault. Political commentator Andrey Pertsev said, “They tried to make him the scapegoat because there were not enough soldiers to protect the border. It’s easier to blame a civilian official than admit there was a military weakness.”

Corruption Investigation and Fear of Arrest

Before he died, there were reports that Starovoyt was under investigation for corruption. Russian media said that he might have been arrested within days if he had remained alive. Many people think he took his own life because he was scared of being jailed and losing everything he had worked for.

Silence from President Putin

President Putin has not made any public statement about Starovoyt’s death, showing how much he has fallen out of favour. When reporters asked if Putin would attend the funeral ceremony, his spokesperson replied, “The president has a different work schedule today.”

Changing Rules and Growing Fear Among Officials

In Russia, it was once believed that when people reached high positions in government, they were protected and safe from punishment. Political expert Pertsev explained, “There used to be rules where people knew if they climbed high enough, they were safe. Everyone understood these rules, but now they don’t work anymore.”

Another political analyst, Tatiana Stanovaya, said that after the war in Ukraine began, the rules of Russian politics have completely changed. She explained, “Now, any action or mistake that makes the country weak against its enemies is punished very harshly and without mercy.”

Atmosphere of Hopelessness and Fear

Many believe that because of the ongoing war, the Russian government wants everyone to work with full loyalty and dedication. Nina Khrushcheva, a professor at The New School in New York and great-great-granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, said, “Starovoyt’s suicide shows the Russian elite is now very scared. Officials can't leave their jobs safely these days. We have not seen this level of fear since 1953 when Stalin executed his allies.”

She explained that the Russian government sees the Ukraine war as a “holy war.” She said, “During a holy war, you don’t steal money. You tighten your belts, sacrifice your comforts, and work 24 hours a day to make weapons and support the country.”

Future Looks Uncertain

Political experts say this atmosphere of fear and hopelessness among top officials in Moscow is unlikely to go away anytime soon. Stanovaya warned, “In the future, the government will be ready to punish and sacrifice even more prominent and powerful people.”
Starovoyt’s death has left Russia’s political circles shaken. Many officials now wonder if they too could lose their jobs, freedom, and lives if they make mistakes or are blamed for problems beyond their control.