Madrid, Spain – Andriy Portnov, 51, a former aide to ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, was fatally shot Wednesday morning in Madrid, according to local authorities. The incident occurred outside the American School of Madrid in the Pozuelo area, where Mr. Portnov was reportedly taking his children to school.

Details of the Attack

The shooting took place around 7:15 a.m. local time on Calle America. According to an Interior Ministry source, Several persons shot him in the back and the head before fleeing towards a nearby forest area. Emergency services and police quickly arrived at the scene, establishing a cordon.

portnov’s Background

Mr. Portnov served as a senior aide to Viktor Yanukovich, the former president of Ukraine who was ousted during the 2014 Orange Revolution. Yanukovich, a pro-russian leader, has been living in exile in Russia since his removal from power.

Recent Incidents in Spain

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in february 2022,Spain has seen a series of incidents targeting high-profile Russians and Ukrainians.

• Letter Bombs (2022): Six letter bombs were sent to various targets, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the ukrainian Embassy in Madrid. A 76-year-old retired Spanish civil servant, sympathetic to russia’s invasion, was later jailed for these offenses.
• Russian businessman’s Death (april 2022): A Russian businessman linked to Novatek gas company was found dead with his wife and daughter, all having sustained stab wounds.
• Defected Russian Pilot (February 2023): A Russian pilot who defected to the Ukrainian side was found dead with gunshot wounds in a car park near Alicante.