Andriy Portnov, a former high-ranking official in the administration of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, was reportedly shot dead outside the American School in Madrid, Spain, on May 21. Portnov was a controversial figure known for his significant influence on Ukraine’s judiciary during the Yanukovych era and his continued impact and disputes with media and political opponents even after leaving the country. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation.
Contents
Key takeaways:
- Andriy Portnov, a controversial former Ukrainian official, died from gunshot wounds in Madrid.
- He was a key figure in shaping Ukraine’s judiciary under Viktor Yanukovych.
- His death is being investigated by Spanish authorities.
Killing in Madrid
Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that Andriy Portnov was shot dead on May 21 outside the American School in Pozuelo de Alarcon, a municipality near Madrid. The shooting reportedly occurred around 9:15 a.m. local time.
According to police sources cited by El Pais, Portnov was shot at five times, sustaining at least three wounds to his head and torso. The wound to the head was reportedly fatal. Authorities believe two or three people were involved in the attack, though no arrests have been made. Spanish police sources have suggested debt issues as a possible motive, but the investigation is ongoing.
Police officers work near the body of late ex-Ukraine lawmaker Andriy Portnov after he was shot dead in Pozuelo de Alarcon, near Madrid, Spain on May 21, 2025.
A Controversial Career in Ukraine
Born in 1973 in Luhansk, Portnov trained as a lawyer. He held various positions in the 1990s and 2000s, including work at the State Securities and Stock Market Commission. From 2005 to 2010, he served as a lawmaker allied with then-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Portnov’s career significantly shifted after Viktor Yanukovych won the presidency in 2010. Portnov switched allegiance to Yanukovych and became his deputy chief of staff, with a key focus on the judiciary. During this period, Tymoshenko, Yanukovych’s main political rival, was imprisoned in a case widely seen as politically motivated.
Portnov played a leading role in drafting Ukraine’s 2012 Criminal Procedure Code, which was later criticized for creating obstacles to fair trials and hindering corruption investigations. Critics allege that under Yanukovych, Portnov effectively subordinated the judiciary to the presidential administration, contributing to systemic issues that persist today.
After the 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution ousted Yanukovych, Portnov left Ukraine, residing in Vienna and reportedly acquiring property in Russia. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office filed embezzlement and abuse of power charges against him in 2014, but the case was later closed. In 2018, the Security Service of Ukraine opened a treason case related to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, but Portnov was not formally charged, and the case was closed in 2019.
Portnov was also sanctioned by the EU in 2014 along with other Yanukovych associates. However, these sanctions were lifted in 2016 due to insufficient evidence in criminal cases against him. Despite being outside Ukraine, he maintained influence, notably owning the pro-Russian TV channel NewsOne in 2018.
Influence in Post-Yanukovych Ukraine
Portnov returned to Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelensky was elected president in 2019. Reports suggested he increased his influence within the political and law enforcement systems. Andriy Bohdan, who served as Zelensky’s chief of staff from 2019 to 2020, was a long-time friend and former aide to Portnov. Another associate, Oleh Tatarov, became Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff responsible for law enforcement in 2020, having previously represented Portnov legally. Tatarov himself faced bribery charges that were later dropped.
Under Zelensky’s presidency, Portnov initiated several criminal cases against ex-President Petro Poroshenko, Zelensky’s main political opponent.
Portnov also maintained ties with controversial figures in the judiciary, including judge Pavlo Vovk, who became a symbol of alleged lawlessness and corruption and was sanctioned by the U.S. In 2019, Portnov, Bohdan, and Vovk were reportedly involved in discussions regarding the appointment of Oleksandr Tupytsky as head of the Constitutional Court. Tupytsky was appointed that year and, under his leadership, the court made rulings that undermined anti-corruption reforms, including the asset declaration system. Tupytsky was later fired and charged in criminal cases.
Critics, like lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, argued that Portnov, through the Constitutional Court, worked against Ukrainian reforms, potentially serving Russian interests by hindering the country’s European integration.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Portnov in 2019, stating he colluded with a Ukrainian government official to manipulate legal institutions and the Constitutional Court for personal advantage. The department also alleged Portnov took steps to control the judiciary, influence legislation, place loyal officials, and purchase court decisions in 2019.
Reports also suggest Portnov and Vovk influenced the 2019 appointment of Bohdan Monich as head of Ukraine’s Council of Judges, a self-regulation body for the judiciary.
Image related to Ukrainian anti-corruption or law enforcement efforts, potentially related to NABU.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, Portnov left Ukraine again in June 2022.
Actions Against Independent Media
While abroad, Portnov reportedly sought to improve his public image, partly by filing libel lawsuits against independent media outlets that criticized him. He allegedly used his influence over the judiciary to win these cases.
One notable lawsuit was filed against several media outlets, including the Kyiv Independent, and its chief editor, Olga Rudenko, over an article referencing Portnov as “pro-Russian.” A Kyiv court ruled in Portnov’s favor in this case in September 2024.
In separate instances, Portnov published personal details, including car license plates and home addresses, of journalists investigating him, adding veiled threats about driving at night. Critics described these actions as systematic efforts to impede independent media functioning.
Image depicting judicial proceedings or reforms in Ukraine.
Investigation and Uncertainty
Portnov’s death in Madrid adds a new layer of complexity to his long and controversial career. Given his history of making enemies among journalists, businessmen, and politicians, the investigation into his killing is expected to be challenging. Spanish authorities are leading the probe, with debt cited as a potential motive, though the definitive reason and perpetrators remain unknown.
Generic image potentially related to Ukrainian sanctions or politics.
Readers interested in the context of Ukrainian politics, judiciary reform, sanctions against pro-Russian figures, and the legacy of the Yanukovych era can find more information in related articles.
