The arrest of the suspect in the murder of Andrei Portnov has become one of the most discussed topics in Spain. In May 2025, in Pozuelo de Alarcón, as children were just entering school, a well-known Ukrainian politician was shot and killed. The incident shocked Madrid residents and raised concerns about safety near educational institutions. According to RUSSPAIN.com, the arrest of a man in Germany could be a key breakthrough in the investigation, which had long remained unanswered.
Madrid police, specifically the homicide investigation unit, had been searching for the suspect since the tragedy occurred. According to the investigation, the crime was committed in the morning when dozens of children and parents were on the school grounds. Portnov, a former adviser to the Ukrainian government, was shot in the back while returning to his car after dropping off his daughters at school. The authorities believe several people took part in the attack, but the man detained in Germany is considered to be the perpetrator.
The victim’s identity
Andrei Portnov was not just a politician but a figure who sparked debate both in Ukraine and beyond. He served as an adviser to the administration of former President Viktor Yanukovych and played an active role in the events surrounding the Maidan protests. After the change of government in Ukraine, his name drew increased attention, and he was placed on the European Union’s sanctions lists. In recent years, Portnov had been living in Madrid, reportedly enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.
Particular attention to this case was drawn by details related to his past. Ukrainian special services linked Portnov to Russia, and shortly before his murder, he met with the current president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. After the tragedy, a photo of the deceased appeared in Ukrainian media with a caption suggesting the elimination of an undesirable figure. These circumstances have fueled numerous theories regarding the motives for the crime.
Investigation and details
The crime scene—an upscale district of Pozuelo, where tuition at private schools reaches several thousand euros per month. The car Portnov was in was valued at over €100,000. All of this highlights the victim’s standard of living and raises questions about the reasons for his presence in Spain. Investigators do not rule out that the murder was meticulously planned and linked to his political activities.
The suspect’s arrest in Germany was made possible thanks to cooperation between Spanish and German law enforcement. Investigators are now working to establish who else might have been involved in organizing the attack. In Spain, there is ongoing discussion about how such incidents affect the country’s image and residents’ sense of security.
Similar cases
In recent years, Spain has faced several high-profile crimes involving foreign nationals and political conflicts. For instance, in 2023, a businessman from Eastern Europe was shot dead in Barcelona, sparking discussions on public safety. In Málaga in 2024, police solved an attempted murder case involving a former official from Russia. These incidents illustrate that Spain remains a country where high-profile crimes with international implications occasionally occur, and every such event prompts a reassessment of security measures and sparks debate about the country’s role in global affairs.
