Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit on Monday. The government has not given an official explanation for Starovoit's dismissal, but it follows attacks by Ukrainian drones over the weekend that have caused chaos in Russian air traffic, including flight cancellations that have left scores of passengers stranded at airports.

Russian media, cited by Reuters, reported that police found a firearm next to the body of the deposed minister, namely an honorary pistol awarded to him by the Russian Interior Ministry. Stravojt is said to have been on trial in his car. Russian media, however, write that he is facing criminal prosecution for extensive fraud from his time as governor of the Kursk region. His successor, who was arrested in April, has heavily incriminated him with his testimony.

Cancellations and delays

According to the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency and the Russian Ministry of Transport, Russian airlines canceled 485 flights from Saturday to Monday, 88 flights were diverted and 1,900 flights were delayed.

Airlines had to refund tickets to 43,000 people, and 94,000 people who missed their flights had to be accommodated in hotels and provided with food and drinks worth a total of 3,800 euros. Meanwhile, the Russian pro-government media website Kommersant reported that the transport problems would cost more than 200,000 euros.

Starovoyt was once the governor of Russia's Kursk region, and was appointed to head the Ministry of Transport on May 17, 2024. He only lasted a little over a year in the position.