World

Russian artist critical of Putin shot dead in Poland

By AAP Newswire

Jun 16, 2026

Semyon Skrepetsky shot dead in Poland — Russian artist Semyon Skrepetsky was shot dead in the Polish city of Biala ‌Podlaska. -EPA

A Russian artist critical of President Vladimir Putin has been shot and killed in the eastern Polish city of Biala ‌Podlaska, a Polish prosecutor says.

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Five shots were fired at the victim, including ‌one to the head, Marcin Kozak, a spokesperson for the district prosecutor in Lublin told ‌a press briefing, adding two Belarusians had been detained, but not charged, in connection with the case.

Local media identified the victim of Monday's attack as Robert Kuzovkov, also known under his artistic pseudonym as Semyon Skrepetsky, a Russian artist and ‌performer known ‌for his criticism ⁠of the Russian leader.

Kozak confirmed the dead man, whom prosecutors identified as Robert K., was engaged in artistic activity in which he expressed criticism of the current actions of the authorities of the Russian Federation.

Three days before he was killed, Skrepetsky had travelled to Berlin on Russia Day, a June ⁠12 holiday marking the country's declaration of ‌sovereignty before the collapse of the Soviet Union, where he staged a protest with an icon-like ‌caricature of Joseph Stalin and Putin, according to the Meduza news outlet.

The identity of the victim would be a key element for the investigation, Kozak said.

Poland says its role as a hub for military and other supplies to Ukraine has made it a target for Russian spies trying ‌to gather information on support for Kyiv's effort to repel Russia's invasion, as well as engage in acts of sabotage.

The Russian embassy in Warsaw was not immediately available for comment.