Former Ukrainian Politician Gunned Down in Suburban Madrid

The killing of Andriy Portnov, former aide to ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, has sparked an ongoing investigation in Spain following his assassination outside a suburban school.

Gunmen killed Andriy Portnov, a prominent aide to former Ukrainian President Viktor F. Yanukovych, outside a school in Pozuelo de Alarcón, a town near Madrid, on Wednesday morning. According to the Spanish authorities, Portnov was shot multiple times in the back and head while attempting to enter a vehicle around 9:15 a.m.

Spain’s Interior Ministry confirmed the incident, stating that police responded to an emergency call concerning a person with gunshot wounds and subsequently identified Portnov as the victim. The ministry did not release any information about suspects or potential motives, other than mentioning that there were multiple attackers who fled the scene following the incident. They have commenced a homicide investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Local reports indicated that Portnov was targeted near the private American School of Madrid; however, the school has yet to issue a public statement about the tragedy. Portnov held the position of deputy head in Yanukovych’s administration from 2010 until the 2014 protests that saw the president's administration ousted due to his shift in foreign policy towards Moscow, which enraged many Ukrainians who favored closer ties with Europe.

After fleeing Ukraine amid the uprising, Portnov remained in exile but managed to retain a degree of influence within Ukraine's political landscape. Though he returned briefly following the election of President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2019, he eventually went back into hiding. In December 2021, the U.S. government imposed sanctions against him and his charitable foundation, citing concerns over corruption and bribery allegations. The nature of Portnov's recent activities, including any political engagements, remains unclear at this time.