Russian artist critical of Kremlin killed in Poland

A Russian artist known for his sharp criticism of the Kremlin was shot and killed in Poland, sparking an investigation into the assassination.

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The artist died after being shot in the parking lot in front of a residential building.

Semyon Skrepetsky, 44, died on June 16, 2026, after being shot multiple times in the parking lot of a residential building in Biała Podlaska. Local media reported that two assailants may have been involved, and an unconfirmed report suggests a suspect, possibly a Belarusian national, was detained near the Belarusian consulate.

Skrepetsky, who had lived in Poland since leaving Russia in 2021, was famous for his satirical illustrations of political leaders, including Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, and Ramzan Kadyrov. His work often targeted the Russian government. Just days before his death, he held a protest in Berlin outside the Russian embassy, displaying a caricature of Joseph Stalin holding a young Putin.

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The attacker fired several shots at close range.

Emergency services attempted to save Skrepetsky, but his injuries proved fatal. The investigation into the motive and circumstances of the attack is ongoing. This incident highlights the risks faced by critics of the Russian regime, even when living abroad.

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Memory is a form of justice. To remember is to resist erasure, affirm humanity, confront historical falsehoods and reject narratives that minimised the horrors of slavery.