Over the past twenty years, President Vladimir Putin has systematically stifled dissent in Russia, with critics, journalists, and defectors facing severe repercussions for opposing him. A lengthy trail of silenced voices has emerged, with fatalities frequently occurring under enigmatic circumstances, including poisonings, shootings, unexplained falls from windows, and plane crashes.

The deaths of defaulters under Putin\'s administration seem to adhere to a discernible pattern. Notable examples include Boris Nemtsov, who was fatally shot near the Kremlin, and Stanislav Markelov, who was assassinated in Moscow alongside journalist Anastasia Baburova. Furthermore, Natalia Estemirova, who was abducted and found dead in Chechnya, and Anna Politkovskaya, an investigative journalist murdered in her Moscow apartment building, also suffered the ultimate consequence for their dissent.

The tragic death of Roman Starovoit, Russia\'s transport minister, from a head gunshot wound has sparked inquiries, particularly in light of the uncertainty surrounding whether the wound was inflicted before or after his sudden dismissal by the Kremlin.

As per official accounts, Roman Starovoit committed suicide, but his demise joins a lengthening list of perplexing fatalities among Russia\'s elite, kindling speculation about Vladimir Putin\'s manner of addressing individuals who experience a loss of favor.

The Russian government\'s investigation into Roman Starovoit\'s death has revealed a high likelihood of self-inflicted harm. It was discovered that President Putin had dismissed him due to his ties to an ongoing corruption probe in the Kursk region, where he had previously held the office of governor. Starovoit had been serving as Minister of Transportation for only a year when his dismissal and tragic death occurred, coinciding with a critical period for Russia as its transportation system navigates challenges arising from a four-year war with Ukraine. The Russian aviation sector is currently facing a shortage of spare parts, while the Russian railway, the country\'s largest employer, is grappling with escalating costs and high rates exacerbated by the war.