Russian artist and critic Semyon Skrepetsky murdered in Poland

On June 15, 2026, 44-year-old Russian artist Robert Kuzovkov, known by the alias Semyon Skrepetsky, was fatally shot in the Polish city of Biala Podlaska. Polish prosecutors and police confirmed that the victim was shot at close range. Two Belarusian nationals have been arrested in connection with the incident, with one suspect identified as a taxi driver apprehended near the Belarusian consulate in the city. Before his death, Skrepetsky had reportedly participated in a protest outside the Russian embassy in Berlin, where he displayed caricatures mocking Vladimir Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov. Skrepetsky had moved from Russia to Poland with his family. Polish authorities have launched an investigation into the murder. As of now, officials have not established a motive or found a direct link to Russian state actors.