Former Ukrainian political heavyweight Andriy Portnov was assassinated in broad daylight outside his children's American school in Madrid on Wednesday, in an incident that has sparked international headlines.
According to reports from Spanish and Ukrainian sources, the fatal shooting occurred around 09:15 local time in the Pozuelo de Alarcón district. Portnov, 51, had just dropped off his children when an unknown assailant shot him multiple times before fleeing into a nearby park. Witnesses described the gunman as thin and wearing a blue tracksuit, possibly aided by an accomplice on a motorcycle.
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Portnov was declared dead at the scene, with emergency responders confirming multiple gunshot wounds to the back and head. Police sealed off his black Mercedes vehicle, and a manhunt involving drones and helicopters is underway. No arrests have been made so far.
Portnov previously served as deputy head of administration under ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and was also a close associate of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko before switching political alliances. Following the 2014 Euromaidan revolution, he fled Ukraine and returned briefly in 2019.
The U.S. sanctioned Portnov in 2021, accusing him of obstructing judicial reforms in Ukraine. Though the EU had sanctioned him earlier, he successfully overturned the decision in court. Spanish officials have yet to release a motive, but the case resembles past politically charged killings on Spanish soil.
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