The assassination of Andriy Portnov, a 51-year-old ex-official involved in Ukraine's political turmoil, occurred as he dropped off his children at school, leading authorities to conduct an extensive search for the assailant amidst heightened security concerns.**
Tragic Shooting of Former Ukrainian Official Outside Madrid School Sparks Investigation**
Tragic Shooting of Former Ukrainian Official Outside Madrid School Sparks Investigation**
Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian government official, was fatally shot near a school in Madrid, raising questions about his controversial past and the motives behind the attack.**
A former high-ranking Ukrainian official was killed in a shocking attack outside an American school in Madrid on Wednesday morning. Reports indicate that Andriy Portnov, aged 51, was fatally shot just as he dropped off his children in the vicinity of Pozuelo de Alarcón, a suburb known for its affluent residents.
Witnesses reported that at least one gunman fired multiple times at Portnov before fleeing into a nearby park. The suspect, described as a slender individual dressed in a blue tracksuit, potentially had an accomplice waiting on a motorcycle, according to Spanish media. The police quickly deployed drones and a helicopter to search for the assailant, who remains unidentified.
Portnov, who previously served as a deputy head in the administration of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, has had a tumultuous history in Ukrainian politics. He had left Ukraine following the 2014 revolution that led to Yanukovych's ousting, but made a brief return in 2019 after Volodymyr Zelensky was elected. His political career has been fraught with controversies, including sanctions imposed by both the European Union and the U.S. Treasury for his alleged manipulation of the judiciary.
The exact motive behind his assassination is yet to be determined, although it resembles incidents of targeted hits associated with political disputes. Authorities cordoned off Portnov’s black Mercedes, and the school confirmed that all students were unharmed. This incident has raised concern among parents and led to intensified security measures in the area.
This attack also mirrors other instances of violence involving Ukrainian figures abroad, notably a previous murder linked to Russian operatives. While Ukraine's intelligence agencies have been implicated in targeted actions within Russia and occupied territories, the circumstances surrounding Portnov's death remain unclear, seeding speculation and alarm among observers of Ukranian-Russian relations.
