Andriy Portnov, previously a senior aide to former Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovich, was gunned down outside a school in Madrid, raising concerns about politically motivated violence in Spain.
Unidentified gunmen shot and killed Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian politician, outside the American School of Madrid in the affluent suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón on Wednesday, Spain’s Interior Ministry confirmed.
Portnov, 51, once served as a senior aide to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and fled to Russia in 2014 following a popular uprising. He was under investigation in Ukraine for alleged treason and embezzlement, and was sanctioned by both the European Union and the United States, though EU measures were later lifted. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned him in 2021, citing ties to Ukraine's judicial system built through corruption.
According to police, Portnov was shot multiple times - in the back and head - by several attackers who then fled into a nearby wooded area. Emergency services found him dead at the scene near a black Mercedes-Benz, with police cordoning off the area. The attack occurred around 9:15 a.m. local time, as students and parents were arriving at the school.
Sources at the American School told Reuters that the victim is believed to have been the parent of a student, although official identification is still pending. Authorities interviewed several parents who reportedly witnessed the shooting. The school has not released a public statement.
Portnov’s killing adds to a recent string of high-profile incidents involving Russian and Ukrainian nationals in Spain. In early 2024, a Russian pilot who had defected to Ukraine was shot dead near Alicante. In 2022, a Spanish man sent letter bombs to political and diplomatic targets, including the Ukrainian embassy.
Spanish authorities have launched a full investigation into Portnov’s death, but have not yet confirmed a motive or suspects.
Schools across Pakistan are being forced to close for a fortnight from next week with government departments down to a four-day week, accordin...
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their nati...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top ...
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leader...
Just under a year after being arrested and imprisoned at Silivri prison in the west of İstanbul, İmamoğlu appeared in good spirit...
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone on Sunday as tensions between Washington and Westminster deepened over the conflict involving Iran. The call came less than a day after Trump criticised Britain’s response to U.S. strikes on Iranian targets.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment