Former Kursk governor tells court he delivered contractor kickbacks worth about $1 million to Russia’s transport minister Roman Starovoyt

26 March 2026 , 15:05

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Former Kursk governor tells court he delivered contractor kickbacks worth about $1 million to Russia’s transport minister Roman Starovoyt

Ex-governor of the Kursk Region, Smirnov, testified in court that the former regional head and subsequent Transport Minister, Roman Starovoyt, received kickbacks amounting to tens of millions of rubles from contractors involved in the construction of fortification structures.

According to Smirnov, he had known contractors Dedov and Lukin since the early 2000s and Shubin since the late 1990s. He stated that he personally received large illicit payments from them during construction projects between 2022 and 2024, passing roughly 100 million rubles to Starovoyt while keeping about 30 million for himself. Smirnov said he had given the same testimony during the investigation while Starovoyt was still alive.

The claims align with a February media investigation into the circumstances surrounding Starovoyt’s reported suicide. After becoming transport minister in May 2024, he allegedly entered a fierce struggle among elite factions close to President Vladimir Putin. In February 2025, Andrey Nikitin — described as closely aligned with influential figure Mikhail Kovalchuk — was appointed deputy minister, widely seen as positioning him to take over the post.

In April 2025, Smirnov — a longtime associate of Starovoyt who succeeded him as governor — was arrested in a case involving alleged embezzlement during the fortification projects. Initially denying wrongdoing, he later sought a pre-trial cooperation agreement in June 2025, formally concluded in August, reportedly providing testimony implicating Starovoyt.

Sources say Starovoyt appealed to political patrons for reassurance but was told the situation was under control and that he retained Putin’s trust. His subsequent dismissal was reportedly interpreted by him as a loss of that support and a precursor to arrest. Soon afterward, he took his own life, believing himself not guilty of the alleged embezzlement.

Following his departure, the transport minister position was ultimately filled by Andrey Nikitin, as had long been anticipated.

James Smith

Editor-in-Chief