A Russian artist known for his criticism of President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has been fatally shot in the eastern Polish town of Biała Podlaska, according to a prosecutor.
Details of the Attack
Marcin Kozak, spokesperson for the district prosecutor in Lublin, reported that five shots were fired at the victim on Monday, including one to the head. Two Belarusian nationals have been detained but not yet charged in connection with the case. The victim was identified by local media as Robert Kuzovkov, who used the artistic pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky. Kozak confirmed that the victim engaged in artistic activities expressing criticism of current actions by Russian authorities.
Suspect Apprehended
The Belarusian opposition Telegram channel DzikMedia, citing unnamed sources, reported that an unidentified man attempted to scale the fence of the country's consulate in Biała Podlaska while fleeing police but was apprehended.
Background of the Victim
Three days before his death, Skrepetsky traveled to Berlin on Russia Day, a 12 June holiday marking Russia's declaration of sovereignty before the Soviet Union's collapse. There, he staged a protest holding an icon-like caricature of Joseph Stalin and Putin, according to the Meduza news outlet. Kozak noted that the victim's identity would be a key element in the investigation.
Artistic Career
Skrepetsky was a relatively unknown figure in Russian émigré artistic circles. Born in Russia's Altai region, he lived there until 2021, when he left for Poland citing fears of political persecution. He produced satirical caricatures of Putin, Kadyrov, the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Two days before his death, he reposted a painting depicting Ramzan and Adam Kadyrov as pigs.
Context of the Killing
Poland has stated that its role as a hub for military and other supplies to Ukraine has made it a target for Russian spies attempting to gather information on support for Kyiv and engage in sabotage. The Russian embassy in Warsaw was not available for comment. Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for Poland's special services minister, said the Internal Security Agency has been cooperating closely with police and prosecutors on the matter.
Suspected Involvement
Moscow has previously targeted critics abroad, but some Russian artists and commentators in exile believe the killing bears the hallmarks of an operation ordered by Kadyrov. Marat Gelman, a prominent Russian art collector living abroad, wrote: "The murder of an artist is a terrible event. I hope there will be an investigation, although I'm almost certain it was one Chechen 'Don'," referencing Kadyrov's trademark use of the word "Don". Kadyrov, who has built a highly personalized repressive system in Chechnya, has been accused of pursuing critics beyond Russia's borders, with investigators and human rights groups linking his associates to attacks and assassination plots in Europe.
Reuters contributed to this report.
