Russian dissident artist Robert Kuzovkov, known as Semyon Skrepetsky, was shot dead on Monday in Biała Podlaska, eastern Poland. Two Belarusian nationals have been detained but not yet charged. The artist, who had lived in Poland since 2021 fearing political persecution, was found with five bullet wounds. He was known for satirical portraits of Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, and other authoritarian figures, and had recently performed in Berlin and at the Venice Biennale. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called the killing a likely political assassination.
This murder underscores the ongoing threat to dissident artists and activists who criticize authoritarian regimes, particularly those targeting Russian and Belarusian leaders. Skrepetsky's death follows a pattern of assassinations of Kremlin opponents abroad, and his inclusion in the Myrotvorets database—where his status was updated to "liquidated"—suggests state-linked targeting. The case highlights the risks faced by exiled artists who continue to produce politically charged work, and raises urgent questions about the safety of dissidents in Europe.