• Former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov shot dead in Madrid.
• The shooting occurred outside the American School in Pozuelo de Alarcón.
• Multiple gunmen reportedly attacked Portnov as he dropped off his children.
• Portnov had previous ties to pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.
• U.S. sanctions were imposed on him in 2021 over corruption allegations.

Andriy Portnov, a former senior aide to ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, was shot dead on Wednesday morning outside the American School in Pozuelo de Alarcón, a wealthy suburb of Madrid. The attack occurred around 9:15 a.m. local time when multiple assailants opened fire as Portnov was reportedly getting into his vehicle after dropping off his children. Witnesses described hearing "several" shots fired at him, targeting both his head and back, before the attackers fled the scene on foot, according to Reuters, Newsweek, and Al Jazeera.

Portnov, aged 51, was a controversial figure in Ukraine, having served as deputy head of Yanukovych's presidential administration from 2010 to 2014. He was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2021 for alleged corruption, as he was accused of using his influence in the judicial system to engage in bribery and undermine reform efforts in Ukraine. This information is corroborated by HuffPost, Le Monde, and NY Times.

Investigations into the shooting are ongoing, and authorities in Spain have not yet confirmed any suspects or motives behind the attack. This incident marks a continuation of heightened tensions and violent acts linked to Ukrainian-Russian affairs, especially since the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous cases include the assassination of prominent figures involved in the conflict, as detailed by BBC and CBS News.

Portnov had lived in exile since 2014, after Yanukovych fled Ukraine, facing various allegations including state treason and embezzlement, though some charges and sanctions were lifted later. His involvement in controversial political reforms, especially during his time in Yanukovych’s administration, has been a focal point of criticism from opponents, according to India Times and LA Times.