In brief
Andriy Portnov, notable for his role in the Yanukovych administration, was killed outside a school in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain, on Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed.
Police responded to an emergency call at around 9:15 AM regarding a shooting incident. Spain's Interior Ministry quickly identified the victim as Portnov, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his back and head while entering a vehicle. The attack was carried out by several assailants who are currently on the run, and law enforcement has launched a homicide investigation to determine the circumstances of the violent act. Local media noted that Portnov was shot near the private American School of Madrid, which has refrained from commenting on the incident.Portnov had served as the deputy head of the administration under President Viktor F. Yanukovych from 2010 until 2014, when public protests over Yanukovych’s shift towards Russia ultimately led to his ousting. After fleeing to Russia, Portnov had influenced Ukrainian politics from abroad. Reports indicate he returned to Ukraine following the election of President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2019, yet later went into exile again. In December 2021, he faced U.S. sanctions due to allegations of corruption and bribery. As of the latest reports, his involvement in any political endeavors remains uncertain.
