A 44-year-old Russian artist known for his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin was shot dead in the eastern Polish city of Biała Podlaska on Monday. The victim, identified as Robert Kuzovkov (who used the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky), was approached by an unidentified gunman near his home around 9:45 a.m. and shot five times—three times at close range—before dying at the scene. Polish prosecutors confirmed the arrest of two Belarusian citizens, aged 33 and 37, near the Belarusian consulate in the city, though no charges have been filed as of Tuesday.
The artist, who fled Russia in 2021 citing fears of persecution, was known for provocative artwork satirizing Putin, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Just days before his death, Skrepetsky staged a protest in Berlin, where he publicly discarded a Russian flag and displayed a painting depicting Putin being cradled by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Polish authorities have not attributed the killing to Moscow but noted that Russia has been accused of targeting critics abroad since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Investigators recovered five shell casings and one Geco 9mm Luger bullet from the scene, with an autopsy scheduled for Wednesday. Police have secured surveillance footage and forensic evidence, while a manhunt continues for the gunman. The artist’s death has raised concerns among opposition activists, though prosecutors have not yet established a motive or connection between the detained Belarusian nationals and the killing.