Russian Artist Critical of Putin Killed in Eastern Poland
6 reported
Polish prosecutors reported that a 44-year-old Russian artist known for criticizing President Vladimir Putin was shot and killed near his home in Biala Podlaska, eastern Poland. Two Belarusian citizens, aged 37 and 33, were arrested near the Belarusian Consulate following the killing on Monday. The victim was identified by Polish media as Robert Kuzovkov, while prosecutors named him only as Robert K. due to privacy laws, noting he used the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky. Prosecutors stated that through his art, he expressed criticism of Russian authorities, including unflattering portraits of Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The artist was shot multiple times at close range around 9:45 a.m., with gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and back, and died at the scene. Polish prosecutors have not attributed the slaying to Moscow, and Poland’s Internal Security Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What’s reported
A 44-year-old Russian artist critical of Putin was shot and killed near his home in Biala Podlaska, Poland.
Two Belarusian citizens, aged 37 and 33, were arrested near the Belarusian Consulate after the killing on Monday.
Polish media identified the victim as Robert Kuzovkov; prosecutors named him as Robert K. and said he used the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky.
Prosecutors said he expressed criticism of Russian authorities through his art, including unflattering portraits of Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov.
The artist was shot twice, then three more times at close range, around 9:45 a.m., and died at the scene from gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and back.
Polish prosecutors have not attributed the slaying to Moscow.
Key figures
Robert Kuzovkov (also named as Robert K., pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky), 44-year-old Russian artist critical of Putin
Two unnamed Belarusian citizens, aged 37 and 33, arrested
Polish prosecutors (unnamed)
Poland’s Internal Security Agency (unnamed)
Sources: abcnews.com
