On May 21, 2025, Madrid was rocked by the audacious killing of Andriy Portnov, a controversial Ukrainian ex-politician who held prominent positions during Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency. At approximately 9:15 a.m. local time in the affluent Pozuelo de Alarcón district, near the gates of the American School, an unidentified gunman or group of assailants opened fire on Portnov as he sat behind the wheel of his Mercedes. According to Spanish media outlets, including El Pais and ABC Madrid, the victim sustained five gunshot wounds, including a fatal shot to the head. Police confirmed that the incident occurred shortly after Portnov dropped his children off at school, lending a particularly cynical edge to the tragedy.
Andriy Portnov, aged 51 at the time of his death, was one of Ukraine’s most polarizing political figures. Born in 1973 in Luhansk, he earned a reputation as a formidable lawyer and politician. From 2005 to 2010, Portnov headed the legal department of Yulia Tymoshenko’s election campaign. Between 2010 and 2014, he became a key figure in President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, serving as head of the Main Department for Judicial Affairs and later as First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration. He was also linked to the drafting of the so-called “dictatorship laws” during the 2014 Euromaidan protests, which curtailed civil liberties.
Following the collapse of Yanukovych’s regime, Portnov fled Ukraine. From 2014 to 2015, he faced European Union sanctions over allegations of corruption and the misappropriation of state funds. In 2022, according to the investigative project Schemes, he left Ukraine via the Zakarpattia region, possibly with the assistance of Oleh Tatarov, Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office. This detail has fueled speculation about Portnov’s lingering political connections even after his departure.
Spanish authorities have described the attack on Portnov as meticulously planned. The assailant, reportedly a man dressed in a blue tracksuit with a fanny pack, fired at least five shots—four to the chest and one to the head. The fatal shot, delivered to the neck from behind at an angle, ended Portnov’s life. Police suspect that two or three individuals may have been involved, all of whom fled the scene swiftly. The investigation is being led by the National Police’s Homicide Group V and the Scientific Brigade, though no arrests have been made as of yet.
Local media, including radio station Cadena SER, reported that the attack occurred at a moment when Portnov was particularly vulnerable—immediately after dropping off his children at school. Footage from the scene, published by ABC.es, captures the chaos and panic in a neighborhood typically regarded as safe and affluent. While police have not disclosed details about the type of weapon used, the investigation leans toward the theory of a contract killing.
Both Spanish and Ukrainian sources have proposed several motives for the assassination. Among the leading theories are personal vendettas tied to financial disputes or a politically motivated hit. Portnov’s reputation as a figure navigating powerful political and business circles likely made him a target for numerous adversaries. His ties to Yanukovych and pro-Russian forces in Ukraine, coupled with allegations of treason and corruption, further tarnished his standing.
Particular attention has been drawn to Portnov’s possible connection to Oleh Tatarov, the current Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office. Some media outlets, citing law enforcement sources, have suggested that the trail of this suspected contract killing may lead to Tatarov, who allegedly facilitated Portnov’s exit from Ukraine in 2022, according to Schemes. However, this claim remains unverified and requires thorough scrutiny.
Additionally, in December 2024, journalists from hromadske and the Media Movement urged Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions on Portnov, a proposal the government rejected, citing insufficient grounds. This rejection has only intensified speculation that Portnov remained an influential yet shadowy figure in Ukrainian politics.
Portnov’s killing has reverberated both in Ukraine and internationally. Ukrainian media outlets, including Ukrainian Pravda and LIGA.net, confirmed his death, citing high-level sources. On the global stage, Reuters, Sky News, and Kyiv Independent covered the incident, emphasizing its potential political ramifications. On social media platforms like X, discussions have been rife, with users attributing the killing to either retribution for Portnov’s past actions or a broader context of political score-settling.
As Spanish police continue their investigation, Portnov’s death is likely to reignite debates in Ukraine about the influence of pro-Russian figures who fled the country after 2014. Whether this assassination was an act of justice, revenge, or part of a larger political game remains an open question.
The death of Andriy Portnov in Madrid is not merely a tragedy but an event with potentially far-reaching consequences for Ukrainian politics and international relations. His life was marked by controversy, and his death only underscores the dangers of a past steeped in intrigue. As the investigation unfolds, it is already clear that this case will be one of the most high-profile stories of 2025.