Russian artist critical of Putin shot dead in Poland; two Belarusians arrested

A 44-year-old Russian artist, known for his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was shot and killed near his home in Biala Podlaska, eastern Poland. Prosecutors confirmed the incident occurred on Monday, with the artist succumbing to his injuries at the scene.

The victim was identified by Polish media as Robert Kuzovkov and by prosecutors as Robert K., adhering to privacy laws. He used the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky and gained notoriety for his art, which expressed strong criticism of Russian authorities. His works included unflattering portraits of Putin, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and other high-ranking Russian officials, with one piece depicting Putin alongside Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

Just days before his death, on June 12, the artist posted a video on his YouTube channel showing him in Berlin placing a Russian flag into a trash can, an act coinciding with Russia's Sovereignty Day. Prosecutors stated that an unidentified man approached the artist near his home, fired two shots, and then fired three more at close range before fleeing the scene.

Following the killing, Polish authorities arrested two Belarusian citizens, aged 37 and 33, near the Belarusian Consulate. Polish prosecutors have not yet attributed the slaying to Moscow. This incident occurs amidst a backdrop of accusations against Russia for allegedly attempting to assassinate opponents abroad since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Poland itself has previously foiled plots targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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expressed criticism of the current policies of the Russian authorities