Adviser to Former Ukrainian President Shot Dead Outside American School in Madrid
Spanish authorities confirmed that Andrii Portnov, a former adviser to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, was fatally shot outside the American School of Madrid on Wednesday morning. The incident took place at 9:15 a.m. local time, with Portnov being targeted by multiple gunmen as he was getting into his vehicle after dropping off his children at school.
Reports suggest that Portnov was shot several times in the head and body before the assailants fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. The police have cordoned off the crime scene, located just 150 meters outside the school gate.
Portnov, 52, held a prominent position as the deputy head of the presidential office during Yanukovych’s presidency. He was known for his pro-Russia stance and involvement in drafting legislation to suppress participants of the 2014 revolution in Ukraine.
Credit: Europa Press News via Getty Images
Luis Rayo, a resident living near the school, recounted hearing gunshots and rushing to the scene. Portnov had reportedly fled to Russia in 2015 following his departure from Ukraine and later relocated to Austria before settling in Spain.
In 2018, Ukraine’s Security Service initiated an investigation against Portnov for alleged state treason related to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. However, the case was closed in 2019. Subsequently, the United States imposed personal sanctions on Portnov in 2021 for corruption and misappropriation of state assets.
Joseph Wilson reported on the incident from Barcelona, Spain, while Illia Novikov contributed to the report from Kyiv, Ukraine.
