Pro-Russian Ukrainian Politician Andriy Portnov Shot Dead Outside Madrid School

MADRID – A pro-Russian Ukrainian politician, Andriy Portnov, 52, was shot dead morning outside The American School of Madrid in Pozuelo de Alarcón, a wealthy suburb just outside the Spanish capital. The shooting took place around 9:15 AM, shortly after Portnov had dropped off his daughter at school.

According to local police, a man on a motorcycle had been waiting outside the school and fired five bullets at Portnov before fleeing the scene. Emergency responders rushed to help, but Portnov was pronounced dead at the site.

Who Was Andriy Portnov?

Portnov was a Ukrainian lawyer and politician, known for his pro-Kremlin views. He previously served as deputy chief of staff to Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted during the 2014 Maidan uprising. Portnov fled Ukraine that year but returned briefly in 2019 after the election of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In 2021, the United States sanctioned Portnov over alleged corruption tied to Ukraine’s judiciary. By 2022, despite a travel ban for military-aged men, he had reportedly left Ukraine. It is unclear when or how long he had been living in Spain.

Police Investigation Ongoing

Police are treating the killing as a targeted assassination or a “settling of scores” – known in Spanish as “ajuste de cuentas.” They are now searching for a “tall, thin man” who was reportedly seen fleeing on a motorcycle.

The case is being handled by Spain’s Brigada de Información, a specialist unit responsible for counterterrorism and organized crime investigations.

Impact on the School

School administrators quickly locked down The American School of Madrid, confirming that students, staff, and parents are safe. In an official statement, the school said: “Police and ambulances are here, and the site is secure. Counsellors are available to assist those who need support. All students are currently in their classrooms and safe.”

Parents received updates throughout the day, and several witnesses were parents who were dropping off children during the shooting.

Not the First High-Profile Killing in Spain

Portnov’s death comes after another high-profile case in Spain earlier this year. In February 2024, Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine, was found shot and run over in La Cala, near Alicante. That case, like Portnov’s, is suspected to be politically motivated.