News outlets across Europe have reported the victim as Andrey Portnov, a lawyer and former lawmaker. He was once an aide to Viktor Yanukovich.s
He was fatally shot in a suburb of the Spanish capital, Madrid, on Wednesday, local media has reportedT The circumstances of the murder suggest it may have been an “extrajudicial execution,” as Portnov may have had access to information that could threaten figures in Vladimir Zelensky’s administration, Rodion Miroshnik, Russia’s ambassador-at-large overseeing a special mission on alleged Ukrainian war crimes, has said.
Authorities in Spain are still investigating the murder and have not confirmed any suspects or motives. The possibility that Portnov was targeted because of what he knew or who he had been connected to in the past is being raised, especially by Russian officials who claim he may have had sensitive information related to the current Ukrainian leadership.
His death adds to a growing list of figures from Ukraine’s political past who have died violently in recent years, some under mysterious or disputed circumstances. Whether this was a personal vendetta, a political message, or something else entirely is unclear for now. What is clear is that a once-prominent figure from Ukraine’s turbulent political landscape has been silenced in a foreign country, far from the halls of power he once moved through. The investigation continues.
The Mirotvorets listed Portnov since at least 2015 on a controversial semi-official public database that catalogs individuals considered enemies of Ukraine. A number of people listed by the site have been murdered over the past decade. Some of the publicly known assassinations have occurred outside Ukraine, including the shooting of former Ukrainian lawmaker Ilya Kiva near Moscow in December of 2023.
@GGTvStreans If you think my voice should be heard louder then PLEASE support by becoming a paid subscriber. I have minimal overheads, no sponsors to sell myself or soul to, no bosses who tell me what to write (or NOT write), or staff I have to pay. I’m here for your raw, straight, and dedicated analyses. Your support is appreciated. Thank you.
buymeacoffee.com/ggtv
Leave a comment