Former Ukrainian politician shot dead in Madrid

In Madrid, a former top advisor to the ex-president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, was shot dead. Andriy Portnov (51) was killed by one or more unknown assailants, according to Spanish authorities. The incident occurred as he was taking his children to school in a suburb of Madrid.

Eyewitnesses reported that the perpetrators fled into a nearby wooded area.

Viktor Yanukovych was president of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014. He was ousted during mass protests on Maidan Square in Kyiv, following accusations of fraud, rejecting an association agreement with the EU, and forging closer ties with Russia.

Portnov, who was killed today, fled to Russia in 2014. He was wanted in Ukraine for treason and embezzlement, and international sanctions were imposed against him. The charges and EU sanctions were later lifted, but he remained on the US sanctions list for bribery.

Since Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022, Spain has seen several incidents linked to the war. Prominent Ukrainians and Russians have been targeted. In November and December 2022, six explosive packages were sent to Prime Minister Sánchez, the Ukrainian and US embassades, government agencies, and an EU office. A 76-year-old Spaniard was sentenced to 18 years in prison for these acts, aimed at pressuring the Spanish government to stop supporting Ukraine.