A Russian artist known for his outspoken criticism of President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was fatally shot near his home in Biała Podlaska, an eastern Polish city, on Monday morning. The victim, identified by Polish media as Robert Kuzovkov and known professionally as Semyon Skrepetsky, was 44 years old. Prosecutors reported that the artist was approached around 9:45 a.m. by an unidentified assailant who fired multiple shots, including a coup de grâce at close range, resulting in Kuzovkov’s death at the scene.
Authorities detained two Belarusian nationals, aged 37 and 33, near the Belarusian consulate in Biała Podlaska shortly after the killing. While they have been arrested, no charges have yet been filed. Polish prosecutors have not publicly assigned responsibility for the murder to the Russian government, nor have Poland’s Internal Security Agency officials commented extensively on the investigation. However, the case arises amid heightened concerns over alleged Russian operations against dissidents and critics abroad, particularly since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Similar assassination attempts and plots have been reported in Germany, France, Lithuania, Spain, and Poland itself.
Kuzovkov, originally from Russia’s Altai region, had relocated to Poland in 2021, citing fears of political persecution. Through his art and social media presence, he expressed strong opposition to the policies of the Russian authorities. His works included satirical and unflattering portraits of Putin, Kadyrov, and other Russian officials. Notably, he had recently staged a protest in Berlin on Russia Day (June 12), symbolically discarding a Russian flag, and had posted provocative images depicting Putin and Kadyrov in various critical caricatures. Days before his death, Kuzovkov reposted a painting portraying Ramzan and Adam Kadyrov as pigs, which some observers interpreted as particularly incendiary.
The Belarusian opposition Telegram channel DzikMedia reported, citing unnamed sources, that one of the suspects had attempted to climb the fence of the Belarusian consulate during a pursuit by police. Polish special services officials have confirmed close cooperation between security agencies and law enforcement in the ongoing inquiry.
Some Russian émigrés and commentators suggest that the killing bears hallmarks of a targeted operation linked to Ramzan Kadyrov, whose regime in Chechnya has been implicated in previous attacks on dissidents outside Russia. While the Russian embassy in Warsaw did not respond to requests for comment, human rights groups and investigators have long maintained that Kadyrov’s network has pursued critics across Europe.
Polish officials have noted that the country’s role as a logistical hub for military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine has increased the risk of espionage and sabotage on its soil. The investigation into Kuzovkov’s death remains active, with authorities seeking further evidence to clarify motives and identify those responsible.