In Madrid, Andriy Portnov, a former senior Ukrainian official, was shot dead outside an American school shortly after dropping off his children. The attack occurred in Pozuelo de Alarcón, with the assailant fleeing the scene. Portnov had a tumultuous political history and had faced sanctions from the U.S. and EU. As investigations unfold, the motive for the shooting remains unclear, escalating fears around targeted assassinations of political figures in Europe.
Former Ukrainian Official Shot Dead Near School in Madrid
Former Ukrainian Official Shot Dead Near School in Madrid
Andriy Portnov, a former high-ranking figure in Ukraine, was gunned down outside an American school in Spain as children arrived, raising concerns about the motives behind the attack.
A notable figure from Ukraine’s turbulent political landscape, Andriy Portnov, was killed in an incident that has sent shockwaves through Madrid. The tragic event occurred this morning outside an American school located in the Pozuelo de Alarcón area as children were arriving for their classes.
Portnov, 51, reportedly had just dropped off his children when he was ambushed by at least one unidentified attacker who fired multiple shots at him, before fleeing into a nearby wooded park area. Local authorities, including police drones and a helicopter, are currently in pursuit of the shooter, described by witnesses as a lean man dressed in a blue tracksuit. There are also mentions of a possible accomplice who may have been riding a motorbike.
The former deputy head of the administration under pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, Portnov has been embroiled in controversial political issues for years. Following the 2014 revolution in Ukraine, which saw the ousting of Yanukovych, he left his homeland, only to return in 2019 with the election of Volodymyr Zelensky. His reputation as a "court fixer" led to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury and the EU, though he successfully challenged the sanctions in court.
While the exact motivation behind Portnov's assassination remains unknown, it aligns with the recent pattern of targeted attacks on former officials, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical tensions influencing violence beyond Ukraine’s borders. Emergency services confirmed that Portnov suffered multiple injuries, including shots to the back and head, and his vehicle has been cordoned off as part of the investigation.
The community around the school was quickly reassured that all students inside were safe as the investigation commenced, echoing a similar incident in 2018 when a drug trafficker was shot dead near a British school in the vicinity. Authorities are working rapidly to establish connections or motives, aware of the potential implications in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
