POZUELO DE ALARCON, Spain (AP) — In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the expatriate community, Andrii Portnov, a former adviser to ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, was shot dead outside the American School of Madrid on Wednesday morning. The event unfolded around 9:15 a.m. local time (0715 GMT) as students were arriving for the day, raising significant concerns about safety in the area.

Portnov, aged 51, was reportedly ambushed by multiple gunmen who opened fire as he was getting into his black Mercedes-Benz, which was registered in his name. Witnesses described a horrifying scene, recalling that Portnov was shot several times in the head and body. The assailants promptly fled the scene on foot, prompting a large-scale police response, including helicopters that patrolled the vicinity in search of the perpetrators.

The Spanish Interior Ministry confirmed the incident and noted that Portnov succumbed to his injuries in the parking lot shortly thereafter, with at least three shots confirmed by Madrid’s emergency services. According to reports from parents at the school, Portnov had at least one child enrolled there, although the school administration declined to comment on the incident.

Portnov's political background is steeped in controversy. He served as deputy head of Yanukovych's presidential office when the pro-Moscow leader faced fierce opposition. Yanukovych was forced out of power in early 2014 following widespread protests against his decision to abandon a trade agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia, a move that sparked nationwide unrest and led to his eventual exile. During his tenure, Portnov was implicated in drafting legislation aimed at punishing protest participants, further complicating his legacy.

After fleeing Ukraine in 2014, Portnov initially resided in Russia, then moved to Austria. His exact timeline of arrival in Spain remains uncertain. In 2018, during the presidency of Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian authorities launched a treason investigation against him, alleging his involvement in Russia's annexation of Crimea. This investigation was closed in 2019, shortly after Volodymyr Zelenskyy assumed the presidency. In 2021, the United States imposed sanctions against Portnov, citing his involvement in corruption and abuse of power.

The assassination of Portnov adds to a disturbing trend of high-profile killings linked to figures associated with both Ukraine and Russia since the latter's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Among the notable cases were the deaths of Darya Dugina, daughter of a Russian nationalist, and various military personnel, with Ukraine consistently denying involvement in these incidents. However, the killing of former Ukrainian lawmaker Illia Kyva in Russia in 2023 was attributed to foreign policy tensions.

Locals in Pozuelo de Alarcon, the affluent area where the American School is located, expressed shock and concern over the violent attack. Luis Rayo, a 19-year-old resident, reported hearing gunfire from his apartment but initially dismissed it as a sound effect from a movie. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Timur Ayaokur, a student, was in class when he first heard the news of the shooting and was understandably shaken. “I thought it was a drill,” he said. “I was worried because at first, I thought it might be a parent of someone I know.” His mother, Elina, expressed disbelief that a shooting could happen in such a seemingly safe environment.

As investigations continue, the shooting has raised questions about the safety of expatriates and the potential implications of international political strife spilling into peaceful communities. The motive behind Portnov's assassination remains unclear, and the authorities are diligently pursuing leads to apprehend those responsible.

This incident marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of political tension stemming from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and it raises serious concerns about security and justice for those implicated in the region's turbulent past.