A former Ukrainian politician and lawyer, Andriy Portnov, was fatally shot in a targeted assassination outside a prestigious American school in Madrid, Spain. The incident occurred in the affluent suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón, just after Portnov had dropped off his daughter.
According to local authorities, the attack took place at approximately 9:15 a.m. local time (0715 GMT). Eyewitnesses report that Portnov was ambushed by a gunman riding a motorcycle, who fired five rounds before fleeing the scene. The victim’s body remained at the location for nearly two hours, awaiting judicial authorization for removal, as per standard procedure under Spanish law.
Though the Spanish National Police have yet to formally release the identity of the deceased, multiple Spanish media outlets have reported the victim as Portnov, citing sources familiar with the investigation.
Law enforcement officials have launched a full investigation, with the case being handled by the Brigada de Información—an elite intelligence division specializing in counterterrorism and organized crime.
Preliminary reports suggest the killing may be an “ajuste de cuentas”—a Spanish term commonly used to denote a revenge killing or score-settling, often linked to criminal or political vendettas.
Portnov was a controversial figure in Ukrainian politics. He served as a top aide to former President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted during the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. After initially fleeing to Russia, Portnov returned to Ukraine in 2021, shortly before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. His return, movements, and political stance remained highly scrutinized. Despite a wartime travel ban on military-age males, reports from July 2022 indicated he had again left Ukraine, raising questions about his legal standing and protections.
In recent years, Portnov remained a polarizing figure. In 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned him under anti-corruption measures. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) accused him of manipulating Ukraine’s judiciary by influencing court rulings, placing loyalists in key judicial roles, and attempting to exert control over the Constitutional Court. He was described as a “court fixer” who systematically undermined reform efforts and collaborated with high-ranking officials for political gain.
Despite these allegations, Portnov pursued legal action against various Ukrainian media outlets, some of which had labeled him “pro-Russian” and accused him of undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty. In 2023, he reportedly won a defamation suit, arguing that the characterizations were false and damaging.
At this time, Spanish authorities have not provided further information regarding suspects or motives, though given the political profile and contentious history of the victim, investigators are reportedly considering both international and domestic leads. The case underscores the complex intersection of political exile, transnational justice, and organized retribution, all unfolding on foreign soil.
Further developments are expected as the investigation continues.
