Dissident Russian Artist's Shooting in Poland Likely 'Political Murder' – PM Tusk

By AFP June 17, 2026 Police work at a crime scene covered with a tent (back R) in Biala Podlaska, eastern Poland on June 16, 2026, where Russian artist Semyon Skrepetsky, known for his satirising Russian President Putin has been shot dead. Piotr Pyrkosz / SLOWO PODLASIA / AFP The fatal shooting in eastern Poland of a Russian artist known for his caricatures of President Vladimir Putin was likely politically motivated, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday. "All indications are that this is a political murder," Tusk said of the murder of Semyon Skrepetsky, whose real name is Robert Kuzovkov. "If it was commissioned by Russia, then this is also a very serious matter with an international dimension," he added. According to Polish officials, Skrepetsky was shot three times on Monday morning by an unidentified gunman armed with a handgun. When the artist fell to the ground, he was approached by the assailant, who fired two more shots at close range. The Polish government says they offered Skrepetsky protection, which he declined. Two Belarusian citizens were arrested in conjunction with the artist's death, but they have since been released according to Polish officials. An investigation by Polish services is ongoing. The case risks rekindling tensions between Poland and Russia, which were exacerbated by drone crashes on Polish territory last autumn that Warsaw blames on Moscow. Skrepetsky was known for his sometimes provocative caricatures, which targeted prominent Russian political figures ranging from Putin and Soviet dictator Josef Stalin to opposition figure Alexei Navalny and Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov. One of his best-known works reinterprets a classical Orthodox icon, depicting Stalin cradling Putin in place of the Mother of God holding the infant Jesus. Skrepetsky moved to Poland in 2021, saying he feared political persecution in Russia. In exile, he maintained a contrarian stance, attending Russian opposition events while openly criticising the opposition itself. Several opponents of the Russian authorities have been victims of attacks abroad, including in Britain, Germany, and Lithuania. Moscow has always denied any involvement in these attacks. Read more about: Poland , Dissidents Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russian Dissident Artist Shot Dead in Eastern Poland Polish police said they arrested two Belarusian citizens following the deadly shooting on Monday morning, but they have yet to press charges. 2 Min read 2 Russians Appear in Polish Court Over Wagner ‘Propaganda’ The men were detained in August 2023 for distributing leaflets about the Wagner Group in the cities of Warsaw and Krakow. 1 Min read Feature Rejecting Kremlin Propaganda's ‘Russophobia’ Claims, Russian Exiles in Warsaw Hope for a Bright Future Russian officials and propaganda speak of Poles being “ready to devote their lives to hating Russians.” Russians in Poland tell a different story. 4 Min read Russia at the Heart of a Conspiracy Theory Dividing Poland Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz held a press conference on Thursday, Sept. 15, to discuss the findings of a commission he formed to reopen the...