A Russian artist known for his satirical portrayals of President Vladimir Putin and other political figures has been shot dead in eastern Poland, according to Polish authorities.
Prosecutors identified the victim as Robert Kuzovkov, who worked under the artistic pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky. Marcin Kozak, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office in Lublin, said an investigation had been launched into the killing of the 44-year-old Russian national.
Two Belarusian citizens have been detained in connection with the case near the Belarusian consulate in the city of Biala Podlaska, where the attack occurred. However, officials said the suspected gunman remains at large.
According to police, Kuzovkov was shot three times on Monday morning by an unidentified attacker armed with a handgun. Authorities said that after the artist fell to the ground, the assailant approached and fired two additional shots at close range before fleeing.
“The case is obviously serious,” Polish government spokesman Adam Szlapka told reporters, adding that Polish authorities had previously offered protection to the artist, which he declined.
Media reports said Kuzovkov’s family has since been moved to a secure location. Prosecutors noted that while two Belarusians remain in custody, “no charges have been brought” against them so far, and investigations are continuing.
The killing has raised concerns about possible political motives and could further strain relations between Poland and Russia. Bartosz Grodecki, head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, said that if the political nature of the crime is confirmed, it would represent “a new manifestation of the escalation of actions carried out by Russia beyond its borders”.
Kuzovkov was widely known for his provocative caricatures targeting prominent Russian figures, including President Vladimir Putin, former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, opposition politician Alexei Navalny and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
