A Russian artist who built a reputation for satirising President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin figures has been killed in eastern Poland, Polish authorities confirmed on Tuesday. Semyon Skrepetsky, 44, whose real name was Robert Kuzovkov, was shot multiple times on Monday morning in the town of Biała Podlaska, close to the border with Belarus.
Marcin Kozak, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office in Lublin, told journalists that an investigation into the murder is underway. Two Belarusian nationals have been arrested in connection with the killing. They were detained in the vicinity of the Belarusian consulate in Biała Podlaska, though no charges have yet been filed. “They remain at the disposal of the prosecutor's office and the police,” Kozak said.
According to Polish officials, Skrepetsky was shot three times by an unidentified gunman using a handgun. After the artist fell to the ground, the assailant approached and fired two more shots at close range.
A Provocative Voice in Exile
Skrepetsky was known for his often biting caricatures, which targeted a wide range of Russian political figures — from Putin and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to opposition figure Alexei Navalny and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. One of his most famous works reimagines a classical Orthodox icon, depicting Stalin cradling Putin in place of the Mother of God holding the infant Jesus.
He moved to Poland in 2021, citing fears of political persecution in Russia. In exile, he maintained a contrarian stance, attending Russian opposition events while also openly criticising the opposition itself. His work and public profile made him a symbol of artistic dissent against the Kremlin.
The killing fits into a broader pattern of threats and violence against Russian artists, activists, and opposition figures who criticise the Kremlin. The punk band Pussy Riot, whose members were imprisoned for anti-Putin protests, recently staged a demonstration in Venice against Russia's presence at the 2026 Biennale. In recent years, many Putin opponents have been forced into exile, and some have faced threats, persecution, or criminal proceedings.
The most high-profile case remains that of Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian penal colony in 2024 after being poisoned and imprisoned. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in his death, accusing the West of exploiting the case against Russia.
Polish authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for Skrepetsky's murder, but the investigation is ongoing. The case has drawn attention to the risks faced by Russian dissidents living abroad, particularly in countries neighbouring Russia and Belarus.
