Russia’s top criminal investigation agency is probing the death of Roman Starovoit, a former transport minister whose body was found with a gunshot wound near his car, hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from his post.

Roman Starovoit was Russia’s transport minister until President Vladimir Putin fired him from the position on Monday. Just hours later, he was found dead in his car, with investigators saying that suicide is the most likely cause.

Russia's Investigative Committee, the top criminal investigation agency, said Mr Starovoit's body was discovered in his vehicle parked in Odintsovo, a neighbourhood west of Moscow where members of the country's elite live.