Russian Dissident Artist Shot Dead in Eastern Poland

June 16, 2026 Semyon Skrepetsky. Social media A Russian dissident artist and blogger known for his political caricatures of President Vladimir Putin was shot and killed in eastern Poland, local law enforcement authorities said Tuesday. Semyon Skrepetsky, whose real name was Robert Kuzovkov, was killed Monday morning in a parking lot in the city of Biala Podlaska, located roughly 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) from the Belarusian border. Polish prosecutors said he was shot several times at close range. A spokesman for the prosecutor’s office said two Belarusian citizens were detained “in the course of extensive police operations” near the Belarusian consulate in Biala Podlaska. Police have not pressed charges against them and are still investigating the shooting. Skrepetsky, a native of Russia’s Altai region, immigrated to Poland in 2021 to avoid political persecution. He specialized in neo-primitivist artwork and political satire, and his work routinely targeted high-profile figures, including Putin, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and even the late opposition activist Alexei Navalny. According to the exiled investigative outlet IStories, Skrepetsky was a polarizing figure who frequently attended and criticized Russian opposition rallies in Europe. Just three days before his death, on the June 12 Russia Day holiday, Skrepetsky staged a high-profile picket outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin, holding up a satirical painting depicting Stalin holding a baby Putin. Hours before the shooting on Monday, Skrepetsky wrote on his personal Telegram channel that he had received threats from users demanding retribution for the performance. Skrepetsky’s personal information had previously been added to Myrotvorets, an unofficial Ukrainian database that publishes details on individuals it deems “enemies of Ukraine.” Following his death, Skrepetsky’s profile photo on the database was updated with the word “liquidated” stamped across it in red. 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 Russia Barred From 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation It was the third time since the invasion of Ukraine that the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum excluded Russia from commemoration events. 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 Poland, Baltics Urge EU to Strengthen Eastern Borders The four countries warned that the EU was the target of "an unprecedented range of hybrid attacks perpetrated by Russia and its proxies." 1 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...