Andriy Portnov, a former aide to Ukraine’s ex-president Viktor Yanukovich, has been shot and killed in Madrid. The fatal shooting occurred outside an American school in the Pozuelo district of the Spanish capital early Wednesday morning. Authorities responded to an emergency call at 7:15 a.m. local time, reportedly finding Portnov at the scene, where he was believed to have been dropping off his children.
Portnov held a prominent position under former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich, a pro-Russian leader who was ousted from office during the 2014 revolution and has since been living in exile in Russia. Portnov, a trained lawyer, had been regarded as one of the most influential figures in Yanukovich’s administration, particularly during the tumultuous period leading up to the 2014 revolution.
The attack took place near an international school, a location known for its heightened security presence and affluent community. Early reports suggest that an unidentified gunman or multiple assailants carried out the attack. As of now, the perpetrators remain at large, and no group or individual has claimed responsibility. Spanish authorities have launched an extensive investigation, including reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events surrounding the shooting.
The killing comes amid rising tensions and a growing number of targeted incidents involving Russian and Ukrainian nationals in Spain, a country that has become a hub for Eastern European expatriates since the start of the war in Ukraine. The Iberian nation has witnessed a notable uptick in politically and geopolitically charged incidents involving figures linked to both sides of the conflict.
This latest incident adds to a concerning pattern of violent acts and suspicious deaths involving high-profile Eastern European figures on Spanish soil. In late 2022, six letter bombs were sent to political and diplomatic targets across the country, including the Ukrainian and U.S. embassies and the residence of Spain’s Prime Minister. A retired Spanish civil servant was later convicted for those attacks, with investigations revealing online activity that expressed support for Russia’s war efforts.
Spain has also seen several mysterious deaths linked to Russian nationals. In April 2022, a Russian businessman associated with the Novatek energy firm was found dead alongside his wife and daughter, all having sustained stab wounds. Authorities labeled the case as suspicious, though no definitive conclusions were made public.
In another disturbing case, a Russian pilot who had defected to Ukraine was found dead in February 2024. He was discovered with gunshot wounds in the parking lot of his residential complex near Alicante. The murder raised serious concerns about international espionage or targeted retribution, although no direct links to any government were officially established.
With the murder of Portnov, questions are once again being raised about the safety of political exiles and dissidents living abroad. Analysts point to a growing trend of extraterritorial assassinations and attempted attacks, particularly in European countries hosting members of the Ukrainian and Russian diaspora. Whether this killing was politically motivated remains uncertain, but the background of the victim and the location of the attack suggest a high level of premeditation.
Authorities in Madrid are continuing their investigation, appealing to the public for any information that could help identify the suspects. The incident has renewed concerns about foreign influence and the reach of Eastern European political tensions into Western Europe.
