Russian artist critical of Vladimir Putin shot dead near home in Biala Podlaska

Polish prosecutors said a 44-year-old Russian artist, known for criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin, was shot dead near a home in Biala Podlaska. The killing happened at close range, and the victim died at the scene. Officials said two Belarusian citizens were detained soon after the attack, as investigators continued to examine motives.

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According to prosecutors, the shooting took place on Monday, and arrests followed near the Belarusian Consulate. The detained suspects are Belarusian citizens aged 37 and 33. Polish media named the victim as Robert Kuzovkov. Prosecutors identified the person only as Robert K., citing Polish privacy rules.

Polish prosecutors on Russian artist Robert K. killing

Prosecutors said the artist used the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky and aimed criticism at Russia’s current leadership. In a statement, prosecutors said: "Through his art, he expressed criticism of the current policies of the Russian authorities.\" Officials said the work included unflattering portraits of Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Prosecutors described several works in the case file. One painting showed Putin being held in the arms of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Investigators also noted activity on the artist’s YouTube channel. Prosecutors said that on Sunday, a video showed the artist in Berlin putting a Russian flag into a trash can.

Shooting details in Polish prosecutors’ Russian artist case

Investigators said the attack happened near the artist’s home at about 9:45 a.m. Prosecutors said an unidentified man approached and fired two shots. The attacker then shot three more times at close range and ran away. Officials said the victim died at the scene from gunshot wounds.

Prosecutors said the injuries were to the head, chest and back. Polish prosecutors did not link the killing to Moscow. Poland’s Internal Security Agency did not reply immediately to a request for comment. Authorities continued to review evidence and the circumstances of the arrests, prosecutors said.

Wider context for Russian artist attacks cited by prosecutors

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russia has faced accusations of trying to kill opponents abroad. Reports have included alleged attacks on exiled activists in France and Lithuania. German officials have also said they stopped plots. Those plans included targeting the head of a German weapons supplier to Ukraine.

German officials have also cited threats against a Ukrainian military official. Polish authorities arrested a man in 2024 over what officials described as a plan to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the same year, a defected Russian helicopter pilot was killed in Spain, with Russian operatives seen as top suspects.

Prosecutors said the investigation in Biala Podlaska was ongoing after the killing of Robert K. Officials have confirmed the arrests of two Belarusian citizens and the close-range nature of the attack. Authorities have not assigned blame to any state actor. Further findings are expected as prosecutors review evidence and witness accounts.

With inputs from PTI