Ex-Ukrainian Official Gunned Down in Madrid: Violence Strikes Close to School

Former Ukrainian official Andriy Portnov was shot dead outside a school in Madrid shortly after dropping off his children. The attack, which involved multiple gunshots, remains shrouded in mystery as authorities search for the perpetrator.

In a shocking incident that raises questions about security and violence among political figures, Andriy Portnov, a former senior aide to Ukraine's pro-Russian ex-president Viktor Yanukovych, was shot dead outside an American international school in Madrid. The occurrence, which took place on Wednesday morning at approximately 09:15 local time, transpired in the parking lot shortly after Portnov had dropped off his children.

Witnesses described a scene of chaos as at least one unidentified gunman opened fire on the 51-year-old politician before fleeing into a wooded area nearby. Reports indicate that the assailant discharged five or six shots, and initial reactions from students suggested they mistook the gunfire for firecrackers. A woman reportedly rushed to Portnov’s aid, screaming in distress as he lay wounded.

Portnov had a tumultuous political career, initially serving as a Member of Parliament and deputy head of Yanukovych's administration before switching allegiance from Yulia Tymoshenko's party to Yanukovych. Following the 2014 Maidan revolution, he left Ukraine but returned briefly in 2019. However, his return was met with scrutiny, and he faced numerous legal challenges, including sanctions by the U.S. Treasury for his role in manipulating the judiciary and undermining reform efforts in Ukraine.

The motive behind the assassination remains unclear, and authorities have launched an investigation. Police drones and helicopters scoured the vicinity as witnesses described the shooter as a slender figure wearing a blue tracksuit. Although initial reports linked the shooting to violent rivalries stemming from Portnov's political past, no motive or suspects have been definitively identified as of yet.

As emergency responders attended to the scene, confirming several bullet wounds inflicted on Portnov, the school’s administration assured parents that all students were safe inside. The incident echoes a similar shooting involving a Colombian drug trafficker outside a school in 2018, highlighting ongoing security challenges in urban areas.

Portnov’s body has been transported for a post-mortem examination, as authorities assess the broader implications of this violent episode within the context of his fraught political history.