On May 21, 2025, a shocking incident occurred outside an American school in Madrid, Spain, where Andriy Portnov, a former high-ranking Ukrainian official, was shot dead. Reports indicate that the 51-year-old had just dropped off his children at the school located in the Pozuelo de Alarcón area when an unidentified assailant unleashed a barrage of gunfire. Witnesses stated that the attacker fled into a nearby public park, raising questions about the motive behind this violent act.
Andriy Portnov, whose political career was marked by significant controversies, had previously served as a member of parliament and held a deputy role in the administration of Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych was a pro-Russian president who was ousted in 2014 during widespread protests in Ukraine. Following his dismissal, Portnov left Ukraine, later returning in 2019 after Volodymyr Zelensky was elected. However, his political journey remained fraught with challenges, including a period of time in which he was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for alleged corrupt practices, labeled as a “court fixer.”
Despite having faced legal battles and sanctions, Portnov had successfully appealed against an earlier sanction imposed by the European Union. His past continued to haunt him, as he was embroiled in multiple corruption scandals and accusations throughout his political life. Local reports indicate that he had an influential role in controlling the judiciary in Ukraine, causing significant backlash from reform advocates.
As news of Portnov’s murder spread, details began to emerge about the circumstances surrounding the attack. The shooting took place at around 09:15 local time, coinciding with the arrival of students at the school. Witnesses described the gunman as relatively slender, dressed in a blue tracksuit, and suggested that he may have had at least one accomplice who was ready with a motorcycle to assist in the getaway.
Immediate investigations ensued, with Spanish authorities deploying drones and helicopters to scour the area in search of the perpetrator. Unfortunately, the precise circumstances and motivations for the attack remain unclear. Emergency services onsite confirmed that Portnov had suffered multiple gunshot wounds—some in the back and others in the head—raising the stakes of this already high-profile investigation.
Concerns escalated over the implications of Portnov’s assassination, particularly garnering parallels to earlier violent incidents involving former government officials shot in Spain. In 2018, for instance, a Colombian drug trafficker was murdered outside a British Council school a short distance from where Portnov was killed. Whether Ukraine’s intelligence agencies or Russian elements were involved is still undisclosed, though it is known that Ukraine’s secret service has been linked to various assassinations in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories.
While there have been whispers and speculation surrounding the possible culprits behind the attack, it is crucial to underscore that at this juncture, no formal accusations have pinpointed specific groups or individuals. Portnov’s black Mercedes was cordoned off as part of the investigation, and the school administration took precautionary measures to reassure parents that all students inside were safe.
The ramifications of this incident resonate beyond just the immediate community in Madrid, triggering international schisms and highlighting the persistent tensions in Ukrainian politics that extend to European territories. Portnov’s murder could shed light on the ongoing dangerous undercurrents in post-revolutionary Ukraine, signifying an escalation in violence against political figures both at home and abroad. As updates continue to unfold, all eyes will be on Madrid as this developing story reveals more about the hidden conflicts stemming from Ukraine’s tumultuous political history.