Former Ukrainian powerbroker shot outside private school in Spain

Former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov was shot and killed on May 21 outside the American School of Madrid, located in the affluent suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón, a source close to the police investigation told Reuters.

Spanish police confirmed that they received an emergency call at 9:15 a.m. local time (0715 GMT) reporting the shooting of a Ukrainian citizen outside the elite private school. Authorities did not publicly identify the victim, but a source familiar with the case confirmed that it was Portnov.

Portnov was a senior aide to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted from power during the Euromaidan revolution in 2014.

The identity or number of attackers remains unknown. No official comment has been made regarding possible suspects or motives.

Portnov’s death is the latest in a series of incidents in Spain involving high-profile Russians and Ukrainians since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In November and December 2022, six letter bombs were sent to prominent locations in Spain, including the office of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid, several government institutions, a European Union satellite company, and the U.S. Embassy. A 76-year-old retired Spanish civil servant was later jailed in connection with the attacks. His online activity reportedly indicated pro-Russian sympathies.

In April 2022, a Russian businessman connected to Russia’s gas company Novatek was found dead alongside his wife and daughter, who had suffered stab wounds. Police described it as an apparent suicide.

In another case in February 2024, a Russian pilot who had defected to Ukraine with his helicopter was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking garage of his apartment building near Alicante.

Spanish authorities have not released additional information regarding Portnov’s killing. The investigation is ongoing.

By Tamilla Hasanova