Authorities in Poland are investigating the killing of a Russian artist known for his criticism of President Vladimir Putin.
Prosecutors said 44-year-old Robert Kuzovkov, who used the pen name Semyon Skrepetsky, was shot dead on Monday, June 15, in a parking lot in Biała Podlaska, a small town near the Belarus border.
Investigators said a gunman approached Kuzovkov and shot him twice, according to BBC.
After he fell to the ground, the attacker fired three more shots before fleeing the scene. Kuzovkov died at the scene.
Police later recovered bullet casings nearby, close to the Belarusian border area.
Marcin Kozak, spokesman for the district prosecutor’s office in the eastern city of Lublin, told the broadcaster, “When the victim fell to the ground, the perpetrator approached, fired three more shots and then quickly fled the scene. Robert K died at the scene.”
Kuzovkov had moved to Poland and received political protection in 2021 after leaving Russia due to legal issues. He was known on YouTube and Telegram for satirical cartoons targeting political figures including Vladimir Putin, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
Despite the visibility of his work, his home address in Poland was reportedly easy to find online. He is survived by his wife and five children.
“The victim engaged in public artistic activities and used, among other things, the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, under which he expressed criticism of the current policies of the Russian Federation authorities,” Kozak added.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on motive and possible suspects. Police have arrested two Belarusian citizens, aged 33 and 37, near the local consulate, and are examining their possible involvement.
Just days before his death, Kuzovkov shared social media posts showing him travelling to Berlin to attend a protest outside the Russian embassy, where he was seen dragging a Russian flag on the ground and displaying a satirical painting of Putin.
Friends told the BBC they had repeatedly warned him to be cautious.
One said that while they often told him his actions could have serious consequences, he remained committed to his work.
Reactions on social media have been mixed. On Instagram, Nelly Art wrote: “This is a tragedy. Rest in peace, brother.” Another user, Pirata, commented: “We need peace on earth.”