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Falls, poisons, 'suicides': Mysterious deaths of Russian elites spark concerns

Another Putin official dead, Ex-Transport Minister Roman Starovoit reportedly dies by suicide, adding to a growing list of mysterious deaths among Russian elites since 2022.

Moneycontrol World Desk | July 09, 2025 / 14:09 IST
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Roman Starovoit, recently dismissed as Russia's Transport Minister, was found dead in his car with a gunshot wound. While authorities cite suicide, his death adds to over 20 suspicious fatalities of high-ranking Russian officials since 2022, often involving falls, "suicides," or sudden illnesses. (Image: X)
Roman Starovoit, recently dismissed as Russia's Transport Minister, was found dead in his car with a gunshot wound. While authorities cite suicide, his death adds to over 20 suspicious fatalities of high-ranking Russian officials since 2022, often involving falls, "suicides," or sudden illnesses. (Image: X)
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On July 4, 2025, Andrey Badalov, 62, vice president of Russian oil giant Transneft, died after falling from the 17th floor of a Moscow building. Authorities have ruled it a suicide. Badalov was known for his efforts in helping the company navigate Western sanctions.
Colonel Evgeny Golovatiy, a senior official within Russia's anti-corruption police, was found dead in his Moscow office on February 27, 2025. Authorities reported he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at approximately 8:30 AM. (Image: X)
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Colonel Evgeny Golovatiy, a senior official within Russia's anti-corruption police, was found dead in his Moscow office on February 27, 2025. Authorities reported he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at approximately 8:30 AM. (Image: X)
On February 4, 2025, Artur Pryakhin, the chief of Karelia's antitrust agency, died from a fall from a fifth-story window. An apology note discovered in his office led investigators to conclude his death was a suicide. (Image: X)
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On February 4, 2025, Artur Pryakhin, the chief of Karelia's antitrust agency, died from a fall from a fifth-story window. An apology note discovered in his office led investigators to conclude his death was a suicide. (Image: X)
Konstantin Klyuev, deputy chief of Vladivostok's city administration, died on January 14, 2025, after a fall from a Pattaya hotel's third floor. While Thai police ruled it an accident, his death adds to a recent pattern of high-profile Russian official fatalities. (Image: X)
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Konstantin Klyuev, deputy chief of Vladivostok's city administration, died on January 14, 2025, after a fall from a Pattaya hotel's third floor. While Thai police ruled it an accident, his death adds to a recent pattern of high-profile Russian official fatalities. (Image: X)
On November 21, 2023, Major-General Mikhail Maksimenko, former head of Internal Security at Russia’s Investigative Committee, was found dead in prison. His death was officially ruled a suicide. (Image: X)
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On November 21, 2023, Major-General Mikhail Maksimenko, former head of Internal Security at Russia’s Investigative Committee, was found dead in prison. His death was officially ruled a suicide. (Image: X)
Grigory Klinishov, 92, a key co-designer of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, was found hanged in his Moscow apartment on June 17, 2023. His daughter, who resided with him, discovered his body. (Image: X)
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Grigory Klinishov, 92, a key co-designer of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, was found hanged in his Moscow apartment on June 17, 2023. His daughter, who resided with him, discovered his body. (Image: X)
Judge Artyom Bartenev was found dead on June 8, 2023, after falling 12 stories from his apartment in Kazan, Russia. He was reportedly dressed in a business suit at the time of the incident. (Image: X)
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Judge Artyom Bartenev was found dead on June 8, 2023, after falling 12 stories from his apartment in Kazan, Russia. He was reportedly dressed in a business suit at the time of the incident. (Image: X)
Pyotr Kucherenko, Russia's Deputy Science Minister, died from a "sudden illness" on May 20, 2023, while on a flight from Cuba. His death sparked questions, particularly given his private criticisms of the conflict in Ukraine. (Image: X)
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Pyotr Kucherenko, Russia's Deputy Science Minister, died from a "sudden illness" on May 20, 2023, while on a flight from Cuba. His death sparked questions, particularly given his private criticisms of the conflict in Ukraine. (Image: X)
Marina Yankina, head of finance for Russia's Western Military District, was found dead on February 16, 2023, after falling from a 16th-floor window in St. Petersburg. (Image: X)
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Marina Yankina, head of finance for Russia's Western Military District, was found dead on February 16, 2023, after falling from a 16th-floor window in St. Petersburg. (Image: X)
Major-General Vladimir Makarov, recently removed from his role as head of extremism enforcement, was found dead with a gunshot wound at his dacha on February 13, 2023. His death was reportedly attributed his to suicide. (Image: X)
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Major-General Vladimir Makarov, recently removed from his role as head of extremism enforcement, was found dead with a gunshot wound at his dacha on February 13, 2023. Authorities officially attributed his death to suicide. (Image: X)
On February 13, 2023, Major-General Vladimir Makarov, the recently dismissed head of Russia’s extremism enforcement division, was found dead from a gunshot wound at his countryside residence. His death was ruled as suicide. (Image: X)
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On February 13, 2023, Major-General Vladimir Makarov, the recently dismissed head of Russia’s extremism enforcement division, was found dead from a gunshot wound at his countryside residence. His death was ruled as suicide. (Image: X)
On June 16, 2022, Alexey Ogarev, a former Kremlin official and ex-top arms export executive, was found dead at his residence in the Moscow suburbs. (Image: X)
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On June 16, 2022, Alexey Ogarev, a former Kremlin official and ex-top arms export executive, was found dead at his residence in the Moscow suburbs. (Image: X)
Retired Major-General Lev Sotskov, 90, a former Foreign Intelligence Service officer, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on June 15, 2022. He left a note indicating he was "tired of living." (Image: X)
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Retired Major-General Lev Sotskov, 90, a former Foreign Intelligence Service officer, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on June 15, 2022. He left a note indicating he was "tired of living." (Image: X)

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