Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has fired Transport Minister Roman Starovoit after the weekend of air traffic disruptions, Politico reports.
The Kremlin has not given an official reason for Starovoit’s dismissal, but it comes after drones launched by Ukraine disrupted Russian air traffic, forcing the cancellation of many flights.
According to the Russian Air Transport Agency and the Russian Transport Ministry, airlines have canceled 485 flights, while 88 flights have been diverted and 1,900 flights have been delayed. Airlines will have to pay 43,000 in compensation for the canceled flights, 94,000 people have been accommodated in hotels, and 3,800 euros worth of food has been distributed. The pro-government media outlet Kommersant has reported that
the transport problems will cost billions of rubles (more than 200,000 euros).
Drones launched by Ukraine have repeatedly led to the closure of Russian airspace to civilian aircraft.
Former Kursk Oblast Governor Starovoit was recently appointed Minister of Transport in 2024.
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