Putin Names New Transport Minister Amid Drone Attack Chaos
By : Krishna Mishra
Russia's President Vladimir Putin appointed Andrei Nikitin as acting transport minister on Monday, following the dismissal of Roman Starovoit amid air chaos caused by Ukrainian drone attacks and sabotage.
"Vest Andrei Sergeyevich Nikitin with the duties of acting transport minister of the Russian Federation until the appointment of the transport minister of the Russian Federation," said an order signed by Putin and published by the Kremlin press service. Putin will submit Nikitin's nomination to the State Duma for approval. If lawmakers approve his candidacy, the president will sign an executive order appointing him minister. Nikitin had served as deputy transport minister since February.
His appointment follows the dismissal on Monday morning of Roman Starovoit, who had been headed the portfolio since spring of last year. In 2017, Nikitin was appointed acting governor of the Novgorod region by presidential decree, a position he held until 2025, when he became deputy transport minister. Russia is facing major transportation challenges due to the war in Ukraine, which began in 2022. In addition to the constant cases of sabotage, fires, and explosions on transportation lines - primarily railways -, daily drone attacks have caused thousands of flight cancellations and postponements for security reasons.