Prominent Ukrainian Politician Assassinated in Madrid

A prominent pro-Russian Ukrainian politician, Andriy Portnov, was assassinated in Pozuelo de Alarcón, a municipality near Madrid, Spain, on May 21, 2025. The 52-year-old was shot multiple times near the American School of Pozuelo de Alarcón, where he had just dropped off his four children. Police are investigating the incident as a possible contract killing. Portnov's past association with former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his involvement in controversial legal cases are being considered as potential motives. The swift and brutal nature of the attack suggests a highly professional operation. While the exact timeline of Portnov's residence in Spain remains unclear, the fact that he chose to enroll his children in a private school in the affluent Pozuelo de Alarcón area highlights his financial status and potential connections within the local community. Authorities are working diligently to determine the perpetrators and their motives. The incident underscores the complexities of international political tensions and their potential ramifications on individuals even outside of Ukraine itself.