Roman Starovoyt, who served as Russia’s transport minister since May 2024, was fired in a presidential decree earlier in the day. Hours later, the body of Starovoyt, 53, was found in his car with a gunshot wound, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the top criminal investigation agency.

Roman Starovoit was Russia’s transport minister until President Vladimir Putin fired him from the position on Monday. Just hours later, he was found dead in his car, with investigators saying that suicide is the most likely cause.

Roman V. Starovoyt, the transport minister, had governed the Kursk region before Ukrainian forces occupied part of it in 2024.