A prominent Russian dissident artist who spent years mockingly criticizing President Vladimir Putin has been shot dead in Poland. Semyon Skrepetsky, whose real name was Robert Kuzovkov, was killed in what local authorities are investigating as a targeted assassination.
An Execution-Style Slaying Near the Border
The 44-year-old artist was gunned down on Monday in Biała Podlaska, a Polish city situated near the border with Belarus. According to law enforcement officials, the fatal attack took place in a parking lot close to Kuzovkov’s residence.
Marcin Kozak, a spokesperson for the district prosecutor’s office in Lublin, revealed that an unidentified gunman approached the artist and opened fire. Initial reports indicate the assailant fired two shots, causing Kuzovkov to collapse. The shooter then reportedly stepped closer to fire three more rounds before fleeing the scene.
Kuzovkov sustained fatal gunshot wounds to his head, chest, and back, and was declared dead at the scene. Investigators recovering evidence at the site found five shell casings along with a Geco 9mm Luger bullet. An autopsy has been scheduled to provide further forensic details.
Fleeing Russia to Escape Persecution
Kuzovkov, working under the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, was a well-known figure in Russian dissident circles. His provocative and satirical artwork frequently targeted high-profile authoritarian figures, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
Fearing political persecution and imminent arrest for his outspoken activism, Kuzovkov fled Russia in 2021 and sought refuge in Poland. Despite living in exile, he remained deeply involved in anti-Kremlin activism. Just days before his tragic death, Kuzovkov had traveled to Germany to participate in a Russia Day protest outside the Russian embassy in Berlin.
Polish authorities are currently investigating the motives behind the killing, looking into whether the execution-style assassination was politically motivated given the artist’s high-profile opposition to the Kremlin.