A Russian artist and Putin critic, Robert Kuzovkov (also known as Semyon Skrepetsky), was shot and killed in Biała Podlaska, Poland, on June 15, 2026; the attack, which occurred near the city center, was described by police as targeted.

Targeted Killing Near Belarusian Border

According to Marcin Kozak. A spokesman for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Lublin, the victim was approached by an unidentified gunman who fired two shots at him. When the victim fell, the perpetrator fired three more shots and fled the scene. Robert Kuzovkov died at the scene. Five shell casings and one Geco 9mm Luger bullet were recovered from the crime scene.

Police detained two Belarusian citizens, aged 33 and 37, near the Belarusian consulate in Biała Podlaska. Their role in the incident was still under investigation, according to Kozak. The town of Biała Podlaska is located approximately 35 kilometers from the Belarusian border.

Artist and Putin Critic

Kuzovkov, who used the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, was known for his caricatures of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. He also criticized the Ukrainian government, according to reports.

Skrepetsky moved to Biała Podlaska in 2021 after leaving Russia. He was known for his public artistic activities, including satirical portraits and performances. Video posted on social media showed him at a Russia Day protest outside the Russian embassy in Berlin on June 12, 2026, where he carried a painting caricaturing Putin and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. He was also seen with a Russian flag tied to his trousers that had been dragging along the road.

Three days before his death, Skrepetsky staged a performance in Berlin featuring an iconic painting of Stalin with Putin as a baby, according to reports.

Investigation and Public Reaction

Police in Biała Podlaska initially did not officially identify the victim. However, Russian and Belarusian opposition media quickly identified him as Semyon Skrepetsky. The local police indicated that the killing appeared to be a planned act, but no motive had been determined at the time.

Police reported that Skrepetsky was shot multiple times at close range. In response to the incident, authorities closed nearby streets and placed schools and kindergartens under police protection. They also indicated that they believed two perpetrators were involved. One suspect was reportedly arrested near the Belarusian consulate in Biała Podlaska, although no official confirmation was provided at the time.

Skrepetsky, a native of Siberia’s Altai region, was known for his satirical work and had left Russia in 2021. His death has sparked concern among those who criticize the Russian government, particularly given the risks faced by exiles and critics of the government.

Authorities have scheduled an autopsy for Wednesday to determine the exact cause of death. The investigation into the killing is ongoing, with police working to identify the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and the possible motivations behind the attack.