A 44-year-old Russian national has been shot dead in the Polish town of Biała Podlaska, with reports identifying the victim as Semen Skrepetzky, an artist known for his political caricatures. Polish authorities have confirmed the incident but have not officially named the deceased.
According to the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, the shooting occurred in a parking lot near a residential complex. Emergency services were unable to revive Skrepetzky after he was shot multiple times.
Following the incident, local police cordoned off streets and exits from the town and increased security measures at nearby schools and kindergartens, where children could have been present.
Reports from the television channel wPolsce24 indicate that two assailants may have been involved, with one allegedly apprehended near the Belarusian consulate in Biała Podlaska. Unofficial sources suggest that this individual is a Belarusian citizen.
Furthermore, a Belarusian Telegram channel, DzikMedia, claims that a taxi driver transported the assailants to the crime scene. The driver reportedly attempted to flee to the consulate when threatened with a firearm.
Polish police have stated that they are continuing to search for suspects involved in the murder, but have not confirmed the identity of the victim.
Semen Skrepetzky, whose real name is Robert Kuzovkov, was originally from the Altai Republic in Russia. He gained notoriety for his satirical portraits of prominent political figures, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. His recent public actions included a protest in Berlin on June 12, coinciding with Russia Day, where he displayed a caricature of Stalin and Putin.
Skrepetzky had been living in Poland since 2021 and had also been critical of the Ukrainian government, leading to his inclusion in the Ukrainian database “Myrotvorets.”
Semen Skrepetzky, a Russian artist known for his political caricatures, was shot dead in Poland. The incident has raised concerns about security and the circumstances surrounding his death.