Tragic Shooting: Former Ukrainian Official Killed Near Madrid School

A former Ukrainian official was shot and killed outside an American school in Madrid. Andriy Portnov, 51, had just dropped off his children when he was attacked. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before the shooter escaped into a nearby park.

Portnov held significant political roles in Ukraine, serving as a member of parliament and deputy to Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian president ousted in 2014. After the revolution, he left Ukraine but returned in 2019, only to leave again. In 2021, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned him for allegedly manipulating the judiciary and hindering reform efforts.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. At the time, children were still entering the school, and emergency services confirmed Portnov suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Local police launched an extensive search, utilizing helicopters and drones to locate the assailant, described as a thin man in a blue tracksuit. Reports suggested he may have had an accomplice on a motorcycle.

Historically, Spain has seen other high-profile shootings. For example, in 2018, a Colombian drug trafficker was killed near another school, highlighting the ongoing issue of targeted violence in public spaces.

Interestingly, while Ukraine has faced scrutiny over actions taken in occupied areas, this incident raises questions about safety and international crime. The case of Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian helicopter pilot shot in Spain last year after defecting to Ukraine, adds another layer. Ukraine’s intelligence reportedly offered him protection, but he chose a false identity in Spain instead.

As investigations unravel, this incident sheds light on the lingering tensions surrounding Ukraine’s political figures even beyond their borders.



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