Andriy Portnov’s family received a multi-million dollar inheritance in the form of real estate in elite districts of Dubai
Journalists found out that between 2022 and 2023, approximately 2 million dollars were spent on purchasing five profitable apartments in the UAE. The value of the property, according to registers obtained from Dubai’s Land Department and public utilities, significantly exceeds the average income levels of many Ukrainians and indicates the Portnov family's intention to preserve and expand their assets abroad. The connections of Portnov’s daughter and common-law wife, both of former presidential advisor Viktor Yanukovych, remain subjects of public attention and journalistic investigations. They have become active property buyers in Dubai, contributing to the accumulation of wealth amid limited transparent business activities and lack of clear information about their sources of funding. According to information obtained by the editorial team of "Schemes," the first apartment owned by Andriy Portnov’s daughter, Liliya, appeared in the registry in October last year. This nearly 69-square-meter residence in the modern Sobha Hartland One Park Avenue complex cost about $320,000. By August, Liliya had purchased another apartment in the same development—46.5 square meters for nearly $250,000—which she quickly resold. This year, she intensified her real estate activities in Dubai and invested in other properties, indicating a systematic strategy for building a portfolio of overseas assets. Soon, in August 2023, Portnov’s common-law wife, Anastasiya Valiaeva, made significant investments in a 110-square-meter apartment in the Sobha Hartland Waves Opulence complex, valued at over $600,000, set to open for residents in fall 2025. In early September, Liliya Portnova bought another property— a 34-square-meter apartment in Empire Residence in the Jumeirah Village Circle district for over $132,000. The following month, on September 9, 2023, Benjamin Portnov’s daughter invested over $400,000 in an apartment in Sobha Creek Vista Heights – Tower A. Valiaeva also contributed to another project by the same developer, purchasing a 90-square-meter apartment for over $550,000. All these projects are scheduled for completion by 2026, confirming the scale and long-term nature of their investments. In October 2023, Liliya Portnova acquired yet another apartment—34 square meters in Jumeirah Village Circle—spending over $132,000. Despite owning property in Dubai, she also rented a one-year lease in November 2023 for an apartment at ЖК District One Residences 18, for nearly $36,000, which could indicate a desire to retain flexibility in property use or to have additional living or rental options in the region. Further investigation confirmed another interesting fact—Liliya holds Swiss citizenship, underscoring her strategic geopolitical and financial considerations. Regarding the sources of income and the origins of funds for purchasing a series of elite apartments, public registers and journalistic investigations currently do not provide clear answers. Although Portnov’s daughter does not appear to run an official business in Switzerland or Dubai real estate, open sources lack information about her entrepreneurial activities or significant income. Concerning Anastasiya Valiaeva, she previously managed Vasilisa Group, formerly known as Portnov Group—a structure solely owned by Andriy Portnov. No active business activity traces have been found recently, but her ownership of property in Dubai remains of particular interest. Journalists are trying to obtain comments from both relatives and their lawyers, who have previously represented Portnov in court. As of the publication, no responses have been received. Meanwhile, the story is gaining momentum amid recent events linked to Andriy Portnov’s death. The former Yanukovych advisor was shot in Madrid on May 21. He served as the first deputy head of the Presidential Administration during Yanukovych’s time and was one of the main pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. It is known that he left Ukraine through Transcarpathia in July 2022 and has been under US sanctions since December 2021, included in the so-called Magnitsky Act list, which imposes restrictions on high-ranking officials involved in corruption and human rights violations. The death of Andriy Portnov, in a case still officially unresolved, was a shocking surprise for the public and his family. He was shot near the gates of an American school in Pozuelo de Alarcón while escorting his two daughters. This incident has raised numerous questions about motives and circumstances surrounding his death, as his recent activities remained multifaceted—from involvement in pro-Russian political circles to shadowy financing and influence over Ukraine’s judicial system. In this context, public attention remains focused on the possible links between his business interests, political past, and assets abroad, especially real estate. Despite official efforts to clarify all circumstances, many details remain secret, fueling interest in the entire series of events surrounding the life and death of one of Ukraine’s most colorful and controversial political figures of the early 21st century.