Russian artist and Putin critic shot dead in Poland

A 44-year-old Russian national, identified by local media as Siemion Skrepetski, was fatally shot in Biała Podlaska, Poland. Skrepetski, an artist and vocal critic of the Kremlin living in exile, was killed on Monday morning near Terebelska Street. Despite immediate resuscitation attempts, he could not be saved.

According to reports from local media outlets, the assailant approached Skrepetski in a residential parking lot and fired multiple shots from a firearm. Following the incident, Polish police launched an investigation, establishing roadblocks and conducting checks on exit routes from the city. Unconfirmed reports suggest that a suspect, possibly a citizen of Belarus, was apprehended near the Belarusian consulate.

Marcin Kozak, the acting spokesperson for the District Prosecutor's Office in Lublin, confirmed that a homicide occurred, likely involving a firearm. A forensic team worked at the scene under the prosecutor's supervision to secure evidence and interview witnesses. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities collecting surveillance footage and interviewing individuals who may have been in the vicinity at the time of the shooting.

Skrepetski was known for his artistic work and public criticism of the Kremlin's policies. Reports indicate he had recently been in Berlin, participating in events related to the war in Ukraine and the Russian opposition. He had also reportedly issued warnings about Russian and Belarusian influence operations in the West. While there are suggestions of possible links to Belarus, investigators have not yet confirmed any involvement of special services or a political motive for the assassination.