22-05-2025

Ex-Ukrainian Politician Killed in Madrid Shooting

Date: 22-05-2025
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | cbsnews.com: 1 | news.sky.com: 1
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Image Source:

Source: news.sky.com

Image content: The image shows a man standing outdoors in a park-like area with terraced stone steps and greenery behind him. He’s wearing a brown jacket and sweater, holding one hand in a loose fist near his chest, and looking at the camera.

Summary

Andriy Portnov, a 51-year-old former Ukrainian MP and senior aide to ousted pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych, was shot dead outside the American School of Madrid after dropping off his children. Unidentified attackers reportedly fired multiple shots, including to the back and head, before fleeing into nearby parkland, with no arrests or confirmed motive. Portnov, who had oscillated between political factions in Ukraine, left after the 2014 revolution, later returned, and subsequently relocated abroad, living in Russia, Austria, and Spain. He was sanctioned by the United States in 2021 under the Magnitsky Act for alleged corruption and judicial manipulation. The killing adds to a pattern of high-profile incidents in Spain linked to tensions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Key Points

  • Andriy Portnov fatally shot outside the American School of Madrid after school drop-off
  • Attackers fled into nearby wooded area; no arrests or confirmed motive
  • Portnov was a former aide to pro-Russian ex-president Viktor Yanukovych
  • U.S.-sanctioned in 2021 for alleged corruption and judicial manipulation
  • Incident follows other Russia-Ukraine-related cases in Spain since 2022

Articles in this Cluster

Ukrainian ex-top official shot dead outside Madrid schoolBritish Broadcasting CorporationBritish Broadcasting Corporation

Andriy Portnov, 51, a former Ukrainian MP and deputy head in ex-president Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, was shot dead outside an American school in Madrid after dropping off his children. The assailant, described as a thin man in a blue tracksuit, fired multiple shots and fled into a nearby park; reports suggest he may have had an accomplice on a motorbike. No arrests have been made and the motive is unknown. Portnov, previously sanctioned by the US for alleged judicial manipulation, had alternated between political camps in Ukraine, left after the 2014 revolution, returned in 2019, and later left again. The school confirmed students were safe; authorities are investigating.
Entities: Andriy Portnov, Madrid, American school, Viktor Yanukovych, Ukrainian MPTone: analyticalSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

Pro-Russian ex-Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov reportedly killed outside American School in Spain - CBS News

Pro-Russian former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov was fatally shot outside the American School of Madrid after dropping off his children, according to Reuters and Spanish media. Unidentified assailants reportedly shot him in the back and head and fled into a nearby wooded area; authorities have not confirmed his identity, motive, or suspects. Portnov, a former senior aide to ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2021 under the Magnitsky Act for alleged corruption and efforts to influence Ukraine’s judiciary. His killing follows other Spain-based incidents linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including 2022 letter bombs and the 2024 killing of a Russian defector.
Entities: Andriy Portnov, American School of Madrid, Reuters, Spanish authorities, Viktor YanukovychTone: urgentSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

Former Ukrainian politician living abroad shot dead on school run | World News | Sky News

Andriy Portnov, 51, a former senior aide to pro-Russian ex-Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich, was shot dead outside the American School of Madrid in Pozuelo while on a school run. Unidentified attackers shot him in the back and head before fleeing into a nearby forest; no arrests have been made. Portnov, who left Ukraine after Yanukovich’s 2014 ouster, had lived in Russia and Austria before moving to Spain. He was investigated by Ukraine’s security service for treason in 2018 (case closed in 2019) and sanctioned by the US in 2021 for alleged corruption. The killing follows other high-profile incidents involving Russians and Ukrainians in Spain since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Entities: Andriy Portnov, Viktor Yanukovich, American School of Madrid, Pozuelo, Ukraine’s security service (SBU)Tone: analyticalSentiment: neutralIntent: inform