Andriy Portnov, former adviser to the fugitive president Yanukovych, was allegedly shot dead around 9 a.m. today in Madrid suburb, Spain.
This was reported by Reuters, citing a police source.
According to preliminary information, the incident occurred near the gates of the American School in the affluent neighborhood of Pozuelo (a suburb of Madrid), while Portnov was dropping his children off at school.
At this time, the information requires official confirmation or denial.
Background: Portnov is known as a lawyer who held high-ranking positions in the Presidential Administration during Yanukovych’s term (2010–2014), where he was responsible for judicial reform. He is listed in the Ukrainian register of individuals considered involved in betraying national interests and is accused of promoting pro-Russian narratives.
Local media outlet Cadena SER, along with Reuters and Sky News, report this information citing sources. As of now, there has been no official confirmation.
According to the media, Portnov was shot near the gates of the American School in the affluent Madrid municipality of Pozuelo. The radio station Cadena SER states that the man was walking his children to school.
The incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. when Portnov was dropping off his children. An unknown assailant on a motorcycle was waiting near the entrance, opened fire, hitting him four times in the chest and once in the head, and then fled the scene. Emergency medical responders from SUMMA 112 pronounced him dead at the scene.
Later the following photo confirmed that the man shot dead is Andriy Portnov.
Key facts
Madrid police told Reuters that they received a call about a shooting at 9:15 a.m. local time but did not disclose the victim’s identity.
A source reported that the victim is Andriy Portnov.
The radio station Cadena SER stated that the man was taking his children to school in Pozuelo de Alarcón when he was shot. According to the outlet, medical personnel who arrived at the scene confirmed the man’s death due to injuries incompatible with life. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds — including four to the chest and one to the head.
According to a source from Ukrainska Pravda, Portnov was killed: “He was shot an hour ago in Madrid,” the source said without providing further details. Ukrainska Pravda also confirmed this information with Portnov’s circle.
The attackers were reportedly two or three individuals, and no arrests have been made so far, El País writes. At the time of the murder, Portnov was behind the wheel of a Mercedes. He received at least three gunshot wounds, and five shots were fired in total. The police have not disclosed the type of weapon used, as the investigation has only just begun.
A staff member at the American School confirmed that the incident occurred in front of the school but said she did not know whether the victim was a parent of any students. According to her, the attack happened “about half an hour after” classes began at 8:45 a.m., so neither children nor parents witnessed the event. Classes at the school are continuing for now, but the administration is holding a meeting to discuss further action.
Tags: breaking news news Ukraine Yanukovych
