In Poland, a Prominent Russian Opposition Artist Was Gunned Down: The Murder Resembled an Execution

Semyon Skrepetsky (real name Robert Kuzovkov
© Semyon Skrepetsky facebook

Kostiantyn Golubtsov

Published: June 16 2026 at 01:13 pm
Source: MyUkraineis.org

In the city of Biała Podlaska (Lublin Voivodeship), located just 40 kilometers from the Belarusian border, a brazen and fatal assault occurred. Semyon Skrepetsky (real name Robert Kuzovkov), a 44-year-old Russian citizen who held refugee status and resided in Poland, was shot and killed with a firearm in broad daylight.

Brazen Liquidation in a Parking Lot

The tragedy took place on Monday, June 15, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM. According to local police, the assailant ambushed the victim in a parking lot near a residential complex on Królowej Jadwigi Street, not far from the Belarusian consulate.

Polish journalists note that the murder bore all the hallmarks of a pre-planned contract killing—the hitman acted with cold blood, staging a literal execution. The perpetrator fired several shots at Kuzovkov from close range and continued shooting at point-blank range even after the victim had collapsed to the ground. Paramedics who arrived promptly at the scene pronounced the man dead.

Massive Manhunt and Security Measures

Following the incident, Polish police immediately launched a manhunt and sealed off the city's exits. Checkpoints were set up on major roads for total vehicle inspections. Investigators are currently working on reconstructing a sketch of the suspect based on eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage.

Due to the audacity of the crime and the high probability that the gunman remains armed and dangerous, city authorities took emergency steps. The Mayor of Biała Podlaska, Michał Litwiniuk, announced that municipal police had stepped up patrols around local nurseries, kindergartens, and schools (where the victim's children might have been enrolled). Parents of underage students were officially requested to pick up their children from school strictly in person.

Despite widespread rumors online regarding the alleged arrest of Belarusian citizens near the consulate, official police representatives as of Tuesday morning deny these claims—the killer is still at large.

Info Block: Who Was Semyon Skrepetsky?

Early Activities and Emigration: Robert Kuzovkov (the artist's real name) was a native of the Altai region. Due to his consistent anti-regime activities and the imminent threat of political persecution, he was forced to flee the Russian Federation in 2021, finding refuge in Poland.
Art and Satire: Working under the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, the artist created sharp satirical paintings, caricatures, and staged performance art. The primary targets of his irony were Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, and Ramzan Kadyrov. Additionally, Skrepetsky criticized the leaders of the Russian liberal opposition (including Alexei Navalny) as well as the Ukrainian authorities, which previously landed him on Ukraine's "Myrotvorets" database.
Last High-Profile Action: Less than a week before his death, on June 12, the artist held a prominent solo picket in front of the Russian Embassy in Berlin. Clad in a Soviet ushanka hat and a tunic heavily adorned with mock medals, he held an "icon" depicting Joseph Stalin cradling a young Vladimir Putin. During the demonstration, Skrepetsky pulled a Russian flag from his pocket and threw it into a trash can.