A Russian artist who openly criticized President Vladimir Putin has been shot dead in eastern Poland, prompting a murder investigation and the detention of two Belarusian nationals.
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Polish prosecutors said Robert Kuzovkov, 44, who worked under the artistic name Semyon Skrepetsky, was killed on Monday morning in the town of Biała Podlaska, around 40km from the Belarusian border.
Fatal Shooting Near Belarusian Consulate
According to prosecutors, Kuzovkov was attacked in a car park about 600 metres from the Belarusian consulate.
Marcin Kozak, a spokesman for the district prosecutor's office in Lublin, said an unidentified gunman approached the artist and fired two shots. After the victim fell to the ground, the attacker allegedly moved closer and fired three additional rounds before fleeing.
Kuzovkov died at the scene. Authorities said he suffered gunshot wounds to the head, chest and back.
Investigators recovered five shell casings and a Geco 9mm Luger bullet. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for Wednesday.
Two Belarusians Detained
Police have detained two Belarusian citizens, aged 33 and 37, near the Belarusian consulate. Prosecutors said their involvement, if any, remains under investigation.
No motive has been officially established.
Kuzovkov had been granted asylum in Poland after leaving Russia in 2021, saying he feared criminal prosecution in his home country. He settled in Biała Podlaska, a town of fewer than 60,000 residents.
Known for Political Caricatures
Using the name Semyon Skrepetsky, Kuzovkov became known for satirical drawings targeting political figures including Putin, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
His work portrayed Putin in the arms of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, depicted Lukashenko as Adolf Hitler, and mocked Kadyrov and his son Adam. He also produced cartoons criticizing Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny as well as ordinary Ukrainians.
His cartoons were distributed through Telegram and his YouTube channel, while his home address in Poland was publicly available online.
Friends Recall Security Fears
Belarusian artist Vladislav Bokhan, who knew Kuzovkov, said he learned of the shooting through Polish radio reports and quickly feared his friend might be the victim because of the small size of the town where he lived.
Video posted on social media the evening before the killing showed Kuzovkov attending a Russia Day protest outside the Russian embassy in Berlin. He was carrying artwork depicting Putin and Stalin and dragging a Russian flag behind him.
A friend, Bulat Subkhankulov, said he had repeatedly warned Kuzovkov about the risks associated with his activism and public criticism.
Subkhankulov said he believed the artist had become increasingly fearless despite concerns for his safety, adding that warnings about potential consequences ultimately had little effect.
Kuzovkov is survived by his wife and five children, who remain in Poland.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 June 2026