Arrest Made in Andriy Portnov Murder Case
Spanish National Police have apprehended a Ukrainian citizen in Germany who is suspected of murdering former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov. The killing occurred in May 2025 in a Madrid suburb. The arrest, carried out on February 25, 2026, was a joint operation with German law enforcement authorities.
Andriy Portnov was shot and killed in the morning near a local school in Pozuelo de Alarcón as he was getting into his car. According to the investigation, the detained individual is believed to be the direct perpetrator who shot Portnov in the back. The crime took place after he had dropped off his daughters at school. The murder involved several individuals, with the suspect arrested in Germany identified as the one who pulled the trigger.
Significance of the Arrest and Political Background
Andriy Portnov was a key advisor in the administration of Viktor Yanukovych and was listed on European Union sanctions lists. Reportedly, he had met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy just two days before his death. Following the crime, Ukrainian intelligence published a photo of Portnov's body with the caption 'liquidated'. This high-profile case has drawn significant international attention due to Portnov's controversial political past.
- The cost of Portnov's children's schooling was approximately 2000 euros per month.
- The car near which the murder occurred is valued at over 100,000 euros.
The arrest operation was overseen by the 5th Group of the Homicide Division of the Madrid Provincial Police Headquarters.
The detention of this suspect marks a potential breakthrough in the investigation of this sensational crime, which has attracted considerable attention both in Ukraine and abroad. Portnov, as a former politician and advisor, had influential connections that may have played a role in the events surrounding his death and the subsequent investigation. The collaboration between Spanish and German police underscores the international dimension of the case and its possible links to the political situation in Ukraine.