Spanish media uncover new leads in Ukrainian ex-official murder investigation

According to the investigation, the attack took place in the morning of May 21 in the Pozuelo de Alarcón district, where Portnov lived and where the American school attended by his children is located.

The criminal was waiting for the victim near his car and fired at least nine bullets at him. Police found a corresponding number of shell casings at the scene.

The Spanish Interior Ministry reported that the attacker acted professionally. He used a pistol with a silencer and, according to a preliminary version, had a pre-prepared escape route. Investigators do not rule out that the perpetrator could have been more than one, and the murder was carefully organized with the involvement of accomplices and a change of transport for escape.

Law enforcement agencies are currently analyzing CCTV footage and studying Portnov's environment in Spain.

Many motives

Portnov's position in the pro-Moscow government of Viktor Yanukovych, his close relations with the Russians, and his prosperous business ties open up a wide range of possibilities as to the motives for his death. Police are not ruling out any hypotheses. Investigators say that "nothing is clear yet," although the search for several people continues.

Police are also looking into the international aspects of the case, as Portnov was under US sanctions and had been involved in corruption-related investigations. Spanish investigators have requested additional information from Ukrainian and possibly other European agencies.

The Spanish authorities have not yet provided official comments on possible suspects. However, El País sources indicate that the main version remains a contract killing with a political or economic motive.

On May 21, Andriy Portnov, a former adviser to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, was shot dead in Madrid.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Embassy has taken the case under its control.