Andriy Portnov Assassinated
On May 21, 2025, Andriy Portnov, a former deputy head of the Presidential Administration under Yanukovych, was shot dead in Pozuelo de Alarcón, a suburb of Madrid. The attack occurred around 9:15 AM near the American School, where the gunman fired nine shots at the 51-year-old Portnov, who died at the scene from his injuries. The murder sparked significant outcry, and an investigation has been ongoing ever since.
Investigation and Suspects
In February 2026, the main suspect in the case—45-year-old Ukrainian Oleksandr—was detained in Germany after fleeing there following the crime. Authorities discovered a weapon, believed to be the murder weapon, in the suspect's apartment in Heinsberg. The investigation also implicates brothers Oleksandr and Veli Azizov, natives of the Donetsk region, who, according to journalists, obtained Russian passports in 2023-2024. Oleksandr Azizov received his passport in the Rostov region, while Veli obtained his in the occupied territory of Donetsk. Additionally, at least one of the brothers was officially employed by cleaning companies in Moscow for an extended period.
Before the murder, on May 17-18, 2025, Portnov secretly traveled to Ukraine, where he met with Oleh Tatarov, deputy head of the Presidential Office, and Oleksiy Sukhachov, head of the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR). The day before his death, Portnov transferred a mansion in Kozyn, valued at 19 million UAH, to his minor children, raising further questions in the investigation.
In March 2026, Ukraine persuaded Spain to form a joint international investigative team to look into this high-profile crime. Portnov, who served as a member of the Ukrainian parliament in its 5th and 6th convocations from the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko, had a controversial reputation. His name was linked to the preparation of the draconian laws of January 16, 2014, and in 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on him under the Magnitsky Act for widespread corruption and influence peddling in Ukrainian courts.
After the 2014 revolution, Portnov left Ukraine and lived in Russia and Austria, but returned in 2019, attempting to reclaim a teaching position at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. However, following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he secretly left the country in June 2022 and moved to Europe.
The investigation continues to examine the motives behind the crime and possible connections between the suspects and Russia, opening new dimensions in this complex case.
The assassination of Andriy Portnov marks a critical phase in the investigation, which could have far-reaching consequences for Ukrainian politics and security.
The involvement of international investigative bodies underscores the severity of the situation and the need for a thorough analysis of possible links between the crime and external actors, particularly Russia. Given Portnov's controversial reputation, this murder may raise new questions about the influences and interests that continue to operate in Ukraine even after his death.