Andriy Portnov shot dead outside American school in Spain

In Madrid, Spain, Andriy Portnov, a 51-year-old former Ukrainian politician and adviser to ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, was fatally shot outside the American School of Madrid on May 21, 2025. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with Portnov struck several times as he attempted to enter his vehicle shortly after 9:15 a.m. local time. The assailants reportedly fled the scene into a nearby woodland area. Emergency services confirmed his death upon arrival, and the Spanish police have initiated an investigation into the shooting. Portnov is known to have had children attending the school, prompting immediate reactions from parents concerning safety on campus. Portnov had a controversial political past, having served as a deputy head in Yanukovych’s administration, where he was seen as a key pro-Russian figure involved in drafting laws perceived to repress opponents during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. Following the revolution and Yanukovych’s ousting, Portnov fled Ukraine amidst allegations of corruption. He was previously sanctioned by both the United States and Canada for his involvement in corrupt practices and his alleged role in the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. Spanish authorities are now faced with an investigation that may connect local criminal elements to his anti-Ukraine political stance. Parents of students at the American School expressed shock at the incident, reflecting concerns over violence spilling into areas typically deemed safe. The school, with a diverse student body representing multiple nationalities, issued communications to families about the incident, confirming the safety of its students while highlighting the tragic circumstances of the shooting. As the investigation continues, public and media scrutiny mounts regarding the motivations behind the targeted attack on Portnov, who had previously been subjected to multiple allegations relating to judicial corruption and state treason. While the motivations for the shooting remain unclear, the implications resonate deeply among the Ukrainian community in Europe while raising significant questions about the safety and political tension involving former Ukrainian officials living abroad. This incident not only underscores the potential for targeted violence against individuals linked to the controversial Yanukovych regime but also reiterates the ongoing geopolitical tensions rooted in the region’s fraught history. The responses from both local schools and authorities may set a precedent for how foreign officials and their families are protected in international contexts, especially as political stability remains an area of concern across Europe.