Russian Anti-Putin Artist Assassinated in Poland; Two Belarusians Arrested
Russian Anti-Putin Artist Assassinated in Poland; Two Belarusians Arrested
Robert Kuzovkov, a 44-year-old Russian artist known for his provocative anti-Kremlin work, was shot dead near his home in the eastern Polish city of Białа Podlaska on Monday morning. Two Belarusian nationals were arrested shortly after the killing, near the Belarusian Consulate.
Polish prosecutors identified the victim as Robert K., in accordance with Polish privacy laws. Polish media named him in full as Robert Kuzovkov, widely known by his artistic name, Semyon Skrepetsky.
Execution-Style Killing in Residential Area
The shooting occurred shortly before 10 a.m. in a residential neighbourhood. According to investigators, an assailant approached Skrepetsky on a pedestrian path and fired three shots. After the victim fell, the attacker moved closer and fired twice more.
A preliminary examination found five gunshot wounds, including injuries to the chest and head. The circumstances — a close-range attack by an approaching assailant, with follow-up shots fired after the victim fell — are consistent with a targeted killing.
The two suspects, aged 37 and 33, were detained near the Belarusian Consulate following the attack. No further details on their identities or the evidence against them have been released by prosecutors.
An Artist in Exile, Known for Unsparing Satire
Skrepetsky had lived in Poland since 2021, when he left Russia citing fear of political persecution. He was known for performances and visual art targeting authoritarian figures, including Vladimir Putin, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
One of his most recognised works reimagines a classical Orthodox icon, depicting Stalin cradling Putin in place of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. His satire spared few: he also directed criticism at Russian opposition figures, including the late Alexei Navalny.
In exile, Skrepetsky maintained an independent and at times contrarian position — attending Russian opposition events while openly criticising the opposition itself. Just days before his death, he staged a protest outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin. Images from the performance circulated widely in Russian opposition circles online.
Friends and supporters told Polish media that Skrepetsky had received threats related to his activism, though the nature and origin of those threats have not been confirmed by authorities.
A Pattern of Violence Against Kremlin Critics Abroad
Skrepetsky’s killing follows a documented pattern of attacks on opponents of the Russian government living outside Russia. In 2006, former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko died in London after being poisoned with polonium-210. A British public inquiry concluded in 2016 that the operation was “probably approved” by Putin and then-FSB director Nikolai Patrushev.
Investigations into Monday’s killing are ongoing. Polish prosecutors have not publicly attributed the attack to any state actor.