AN exiled Russian artist who mocked Vladimir Putin and his allies in biting satirical paintings has been shot dead.
Semyon Skrepetsky, 44 – real name Robert Kuzovkov – was known for his savage, uncompromising satire of the Russian leadership.
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Russian artist Semyon Skrepetsky, 44, was shot dead in Poland after ridiculing Putin in his works Credit: East2West
Police officers inspect the scene of a shooting in Biala Podlaska, eastern Poland Credit: EPA
He would portray Vladimir Putin as a blood-soaked dictator and repeatedly ridicule his closest allies in brutally provocative artwork.
The outspoken anti-Kremlin artist was gunned down in the eastern Polish city of Biała Podlaska, around 40km from the Belarus border and close to the Belarusian consulate.
Polish prosecutors confirmed the killing took place on Monday morning in a car park, where the 44-year-old was approached by a lone gunman who opened fire at close range.
Investigators say all clues of his death point towards a targeted assassination.
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He was shot five times in the head, chest and back.
Investigators are saying two shots were fired initially before the attacker stood over him and three more rounds were fired as he lay on the ground.
The assassins reportedly fled the scene.
Marcin Kozak, spokesman for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Lublin, said: “When the victim fell to the ground, the perpetrator approached, fired three more shots and then quickly fled the scene. Robert K died at the scene.”
was known for his savage, uncompromising satire of the Russian leadership Credit: East2West
A painting of Adolf Hitler (top left), Joseph Stalin (top right) and Vladimir Putin (centre) Credit: East2West
Five shell casings and a Geco 9mm Luger bullet were recovered as forensic teams sealed off the area.
An autopsy is now scheduled as police continue piecing together the execution-style killing.
A major manhunt is underway, with officers detaining two Belarusian citizens aged 33 and 37 near the Belarusian consulate.
A taxi driver has also reportedly been questioned after allegedly transporting potential suspects from Warsaw.
Police spokesman Andrzej Fijołek said officers were working urgently to track down the killer, warning the suspect “could have changed clothes”.
The cop said: “At the moment, the most important thing is to establish his identity and detain him as quickly as possible.”
He also confirmed: “We have established the identity of the man who was shot dead today in Biała Podlaska by an unknown man. The victim is a 44-year-old Russian citizen.”
Skrepetsky, who used his pseudonym to publish politically charged artwork, had become infamous for depicting Putin as a merciless tyrant.
He would also target Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov – all close Kremlin allies.
Just days before his death, he staged a highly provocative protest outside the Russian embassy in Berlin on 12 June.
He pulled a Russian flag from the back of his trousers and threw it into a bin before carrying a painting of Joseph Stalin holding an infant Vladimir Putin.
He had also claimed he received “rape threats” from pro-Putin supporters in the days leading up to the killing.
At the same time, cracks are also emerging inside Russia’s pro-war information space.
Pro-Putin blogger Yegor Guzenko – known online as “Thirteenth” – has gone missing after being deployed on what fellow soldiers described as a “cannon fodder” frontline mission.
He was assigned shortly after posting rare criticism of the Kremlin’s war messaging and accusing officials of “lies.
Another major shock inside Russia’s pro-war media world came after well-known Kremlin supporter Ilya Remeslo dramatically turned against Vladimir Putin.
He was shot five times in the head, chest and back Credit: East2West
Skrepetsky, who used his pseudonym to publish politically charged artwork, had become infamous for depicting Putin as a merciless tyrant. Credit: East2West
In a bombshell post titled “Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin”, Remeslo called for the Russian leader to resign and said he should face trial as a war criminal.
He accused Putin of dragging Russia into a failing war in Ukraine and warned the country was heading towards serious instability and possible collapse.
Remeslo also claimed the war, economic pressure and growing internet restrictions were fuelling anger across Russia, and said the situation under Putin was unsustainable.
In his post, he insisted it was not a joke or setup, saying: “None of this is staged. I am just speaking the truth.”
He added: “People really overestimate the current administration.”
Reports later suggested he had been placed in a psychiatric hospital, although no official reason was given.
The growing wave of mystery and violence surrounding Putin critics comes amid rising tensions over Russia’s war effort and mounting internal pressure on the Kremlin, as the country edges deeper into instability.
Russian opposition MP Vyacheslav Markhayev warned the country was “on the brink of a social explosion” and urged Vladimir Putin’s government to rethink the war in Ukraine before it descended into “total chaos”.
He would also target Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov – all close Kremlin allies Credit: East2West
Police spokesman Andrzej Fijołek said officers were working urgently to track down the killer Credit: East2West
He said: “We need a clear, public plan to end the special military operation, based on Russia’s national interests.
“The time for illusions has passed.
“The country is on the brink of a social explosion, and full responsibility for this will lie with the irremovable authorities.”
Markhayev added: “What would an external enemy do if it captured Russia? It would seize resources, loot industry, drive up tariffs and build mansions for itself.
“But no invasion took place the authorities managed to do all this themselves, more effectively than any aggressor.”
Ukraine has continued striking deep into Russian-held territory, with attacks reportedly damaging key transport routes into Crimea and hitting major oil and petrochemical infrastructure.
The downwards spiral has forced Russia to scale back public celebrations in some regions.
