**Ukrainian Ex-Official Gunned Down Near School in Madrid**

Authorities continue to investigate the shooting that occurred outside an American school in Pozuelo de Alarcón.

In a shocking incident, Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian official, was shot dead on the streets of Madrid shortly after dropping his children off at school. The tragic event took place around 09:15 AM local time in the Pozuelo de Alarcón neighborhood, prompting immediate reactions from parents and authorities alike.

Portnov, 51, had a colorful political career, serving as a deputy head of the administration under the pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted during Ukraine's Euromaidan protests in 2014. Initially an MP for Yulia Tymoshenko’s party, he later switched allegiance to Yanukovych, gaining notoriety as a controversial figure labeled a "court fixer" by the U.S. Treasury, which sanctioned him in 2021.

Witnesses at the scene reported hearing multiple gunshots, with some mistaking the noise for fireworks. Emergency services raced to the scene, confirming that Portnov had sustained severe injuries from multiple shots fired by an unidentified assailant. A witness reported seeing the shooter—a man dressed in a blue tracksuit—flee the scene, possibly accompanied by an accomplice on a motorbike. As of now, no arrests have been made.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Local authorities deployed drones and a helicopter to search for the gunman as investigators combed the scene for clues. The American school confirmed the safety of all students, which provided some relief to parents, who were initially alarmed by the situation.

Previously, Portnov faced various legal challenges, including lawsuits and sanctions imposed by the European Union; however, he successfully contested these claims in court. This history has raised speculations regarding the motive for his assassination, connecting his life in exile and complex legal battles back to Ukraine. While killings of high-profile individuals have been noted in Spain, with previous incidents inclining towards potentially organized crime, the underlying reasons for this attack on Portnov are still under investigation.

In a similar vein, a high-profile instance occurred last February when a Russian pilot defecting to Ukraine was shot dead in Alicante, highlighting the international implications of conflict-driven targeted violence. As the investigation unfolds, many questions linger about the safety of ex-officials and the shadows of the political tumult they leave behind.