Former Ukrainian Official Assassinated in Spain: Political Motives Investigated

Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian official and lawyer, was assassinated on May 21, 2025, near Madrid, Spain. The killing took place around 8 a.m. when Portnov was dropping his children off at an elite American school in the suburbs of Madrid. According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, Portnov was shot five times, with three bullets hitting him. He died of his wounds. Spanish police have launched a murder investigation. The incident has sparked speculation about possible political motives, given Portnov's past role in the Yanukovych administration and his recent political activities in Ukraine. The swift escape of the assassins and the potential for international connections complicate the investigation. The murder underscores concerns about the safety of political figures, particularly those involved in high-profile controversies.