Russia has been rocked by the sudden death of transport minister Roman Starovoit, who was found dead from a gunshot wound just hours after being dismissed by Vladimir Putin. With the presumption that he took his own life, this rare occurrence has sparked shock and speculation across Russian media. He had previously served as governor of the Kursk region, where he oversaw the construction of costly but ultimately ineffective defensive fortifications along the Ukrainian border. His former deputy and successor have since been arrested on fraud charges, and some believe Starovoit feared imminent prosecution himself. Analysts have drawn parallels to Soviet-era purges, suggesting the growing sense of fear and repression within Russia’s political elite. State media has downplayed the event, with only brief mention on national television. But for Russia’s governors and ministers, Starovoit’s death sends a chilling signal: in today’s political climate, even stepping down can come with grave consequences.