Russian artist critical of Putin killed in Poland

Russian artist-activist Semyon Skrepetski, known for caricatures mocking Putin and Kadyrov, was shot dead in the Polish city of Białystok on 15 June. Belarusian citizens are under suspicion; one attempted to flee into the Belarusian consulate building. Polish media reports the incident as a political assassination.

In the Polish city of Białystok, located several dozen kilometres from the Belarusian border, Russian artist-activist Semyon Skrepetski was killed on 15 June 2026. The artist was murdered in a car park, shot multiple times at close range, and then shot again as he lay on the ground. Skrepetski was a 44-year-old Russian citizen.

Belarusian suspects

Polish police announced that the victim had been identified, but declined to release the name publicly. During the investigation, two Belarusian citizens were detained. One was arrested near Białystok's Belarusian consulate; according to opposition channel DzikMedia, the man attempted to climb over a fence onto consulate territory but was apprehended by police. According to DzikMedia sources, he was a Belarusian taxi driver who brought people from Warsaw whom investigators believe participated in the murder, though he was reportedly unaware of the plans. Investigators have not yet apprehended the alleged direct perpetrator.

After the killing, Skrepetski's family—his wife and four children-were placed under police protection.

Activism and threats before death

Semyon Skrepetski, a pseudonym, real name believed to be Robert Kuzovkov, fled Russia to Poland in 2021 fearing political persecution. He drew caricatures mocking the leadership of Russia and Belarus, including Vladimir Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov. At the same time, he also criticised Russian opposition figures and Ukrainian leadership, leading to his inclusion in the Ukrainian database "Myrotvorets".

Just three days before his death, on 12 June, Skrepetski staged a protest in Berlin outside Russia's embassy: he brought a painting depicting Putin cradled in Stalin's arms. The artist wore a military uniform adorned with medals, patches on his legs, a fur hat on his head, and a Russian flag protruding from the back of his trousers. Immediately before his death, Skrepetski posted on his Telegram channel threatening comments he had received about him, messages that arrived after the Berlin action.

"Political assassination"

Polish media reacted sharply to the incident. Radio station RMF FM and web outlet wPolsce24 openly described it as a "political assassination" and referenced Putin's contract killers and foreign intelligence hunting "false Russians". Journalists particularly highlighted the fact that the shooter fired at the victim even as he lay on the ground-a hallmark of a professional liquidation.

Polish law enforcement has not yet officially presented any theory. The case echoes previous killings of Russian dissidents in Western Europe, particularly attacks against associates of Alexei Navalny and journalists.