Suspect Arrested in Murder of Russian Activist in Poland
WARSAW, Poland – A man has been apprehended by Polish authorities in connection with the daylight shooting of a Russian activist known for his criticism of President Vladimir Putin. Officials announced on Thursday that they suspect the individual has links to foreign intelligence services.
This incident is seen by Polish officials as part of a broader Russian sabotage effort in NATO countries, allegedly aimed at instilling fear and undermining support for Ukraine.
The suspect, a 36-year-old man holding a passport from Georgia, is believed to have connections to organized crime. Interior Minister Marcin Kielwiński revealed these details at a news conference in Warsaw, stating that the man is also linked to other criminal activities in Poland, some dating back to 2022.
The victim, Robert Kuzovkov, who also used the alias Semyon Skrepetsky, was fatally shot near his residence in Biala Podlaska, a city in eastern Poland close to the Belarus border. Police reported that he was 44 years old.
Reports indicate that the suspect fired two shots at Kuzovkov, followed by three more at close range. The activist suffered fatal injuries to his head, chest, and back and died on the scene.
Polish Security Minister Tomasz Siemoniak expressed concerns regarding potential involvement from foreign intelligence, suggesting in recent years, there have been instances where criminals were hired to conduct operations for these agencies, emphasizing the seriousness of this situation.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk remarked that the circumstances surrounding the murder point to a political motive. He cautioned that if the act was indeed ordered by Russia, it could be classified as state terrorism, raising significant international concerns.
Initially, Polish investigators detained two Belarusians but later released them due to a lack of evidence linking them to the crime.
Prosecutors noted that Kuzovkov used his art to criticize the Russian government, creating unflattering portrayals of notable figures, including Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. One of his artworks even depicted Putin alongside the infamous Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
Just days before his death, Kuzovkov shared a video on his YouTube channel where he discarded a Russian flag into a trash can during a national holiday commemorating Russia’s sovereignty.
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia has faced accusations of planning assassinations against opponents living abroad, including attempts on exiled activists in France and Lithuania.
Additionally, German authorities have disrupted plots targeted at officials involved in supplying arms to Ukraine. In 2024, there was a reported attempt to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, alongside the murder of a Russian defected helicopter pilot in Spain, with Russian agents being prime suspects in both cases.
