A Russian artist and cartoonist known for his sharp satirical criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin has been shot dead in eastern Poland in what local media have described as a possible execution-style killing.
The victim has been identified by several Polish media outlets as Semyon Skrepetsky, a 44-year-old Russian citizen who had been living in the city of Biała Podlaska, near the border with Belarus.
Polish police confirmed that a 44-year-old Russian national was shot on a street near the city center on Monday morning. He later died from his injuries. The attackers fled the scene and remain at large as authorities continue their search.
According to media reports, a Belarusian citizen was detained near the Belarusian consulate in Biała Podlaska shortly after the shooting. However, Polish authorities have not officially confirmed any arrest directly connected to the case.
Prosecutors and police have launched a full investigation into the killing. At this stage, no evidence has been publicly presented linking the attack to Russian state actors, and investigators have not yet established a motive.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Poland and Russia. Polish authorities have repeatedly accused both Moscow and Minsk of conducting hybrid activities against Poland, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and migration-related pressure along the European Union’s eastern border.
Police spokesperson Andrzej Fijolek stated that the circumstances indicate a planned assassination. According to investigators, the fact that the gunman approached a specific individual and opened fire in a public area suggests the victim had been deliberately targeted.
Polish media reported that Skrepetsky was widely known for satirical cartoons mocking Putin, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and other figures closely associated with the Russian government. He reportedly left Russia in 2021, claiming he feared political persecution because of his work.
Just days before his death, Skrepetsky participated in a protest outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin, where he displayed a satirical artwork depicting Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin feeding a baby symbolizing Putin.
The killing has raised concerns among human rights advocates and members of the Russian exile community across Europe, who have long warned about threats faced by dissidents, journalists, activists, and critics of the Kremlin living abroad.
