Roman V. Starovoyt, the transport minister, had governed Russia’s western Kursk region before Ukrainian forces invaded in 2024 and occupied part of the territory.

No reason for Starovoit's dismissal was given and deputy transport minister Andrei Nikitin was announced as his replacement shortly after. The Investigative Committee said it was working to establish the circumstances of the incident.

Ukraine said it struck a Russian air base on Saturday, while Russia continued to attack Ukraine with hundreds of drones overnight as part of a stepped-up bombing campaign that has dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the more than 3-year-old war.