The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has reported on the situation surrounding the murder of former Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Viktor Yanukovych, Andriy Portnov, which took place in the Spanish capital, Madrid
Foreign Minister Andriy Si Hbiga confirmed that the official authorities of Spain provided the Ukrainian diplomatic service with detailed information regarding this tragic incident that occurred within European territory. According to the information agency "Interfax-Ukraine" and citing a statement by the minister on Friday, Si Hbiga emphasized: "The Spanish side has provided us with official information regarding the murder of Andriy Portnov, as he was a Ukrainian citizen and held legal status in that country." The head of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry added that relevant legal procedures are currently underway to document and disclose all details of the case. He also stated that Ukrainian authorities have already received this information and are responding appropriately, following the legal procedures. It should be noted that the incident occurred on May 21 in Madrid. Portnov’s murder was preceded by numerous political and legal scandals that repeatedly caused tension within Ukrainian politics since his active participation in political and legal conflicts. A former advisor to Viktor Yanukovych, Portnov was known for his pro-Russian stance and attitudes towards Ukrainian authorities during his tenure working with the president from 2010 to 2014. According to previously published information, he left Ukraine through Zakarpattia in July 2022 and was residing in Spain. At the same time, Portnov has been under U.S. sanctions since December 2021. He was accused of influencing Ukraine’s judicial system and trading influence, which drew additional attention from the international community to his person. The explosive nature of the event has sparked a series of political and diplomatic discussions in Ukrainian and international circles, as the ambiguous circumstances of this year's tragedy have once again raised questions about the security of Ukrainians in Europe and possible political motives behind the crime. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently focused on quickly clarifying all circumstances of the case, as well as coordinating with Spanish law enforcement authorities to establish the motives and the masterminds behind the murder. Preliminary data suggests that criminal or political motives could be among possible scenarios, but final conclusions will be made after the completion of investigative procedures. As political analysts and diplomatic sources point out, this incident once again underscores the complexity of the situation surrounding individuals and events associated with Ukraine’s political history. Portnov’s murder is the first such case involving Ukrainian citizens on European soil in recent times and raises numerous questions about security levels, political stability, and potential external influences. Ukrainian authorities promise to make every effort to determine the reasons and identify those responsible for this tragic event, while also calling on international partners for cooperation.