Portnov, aged 51, was attacked outside The American School of Madrid in the affluent suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcon.

The tragic event occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m. local time when Portnov was entering his vehicle. Multiple shooters targeted Portnov, inflicting fatal gunshot wounds to his back and head before escaping into a nearby wooded area. The incident, which happened shortly after the school’s morning drop-off, caused immediate concern among the community.

The American School of Madrid, which serves over 1,000 students from various countries including the United States and Spain, quickly reassured parents that all students were safe. A source close to the school informed CNN that the victim is believed to be the father of one of the students.

In recent years, Portnov faced significant legal and political scrutiny. The United States sanctioned him in 2021 under the Magnitsky Act for corruption and bribery. The act, established in 2012, prohibits entry into the US and freezes the assets of individuals implicated in severe human rights violations. Portnov was accused by US authorities of leveraging his influence within Ukraine’s judicial system, undermining reform efforts.

Portnov’s history also includes scrutiny from the Security Service of Ukraine, who previously investigated his potential role in Russia's annexation of Crimea. Although the investigation was later closed, Portnov’s flight from Ukraine in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion renewed attention on his activities.

Before his death, Portnov faced additional international repercussions. Canada froze his assets in 2014 citing his involvement as an advisor to Yanukovych. Despite these international actions, Ukraine never imposed its own sanctions on Portnov, even after a 2024 petition from media and civil society organizations garnered 25,000 signatures calling for punitive measures against him.

Portnov returned to Ukraine in 2019 after initially fleeing during the pro-democracy Maidan protests that ousted Yanukovych. His return did little to quell the controversies surrounding him, as he continued to be a divisive figure within Ukrainian politics.

The shooting has reignited fears of a targeted campaign against individuals connected to Yanukovych. In 2015, similar high-profile killings of Yanukovych associates raised allegations of a broader conspiracy, a grim reminder of ongoing political tensions and unresolved vendettas.