NewsHail
26 May 2025
Andriy Portnov was shot dead in Spain. He was a former Ukrainian official. He had just dropped off his kids at school when he was killed in the parking lot.
Many in Ukraine were not sad to hear the news. Portnov was known for corruption and for helping pro-Russian leaders.
Portnov was a smart lawyer. He first worked with pro-Western leader Yulia Tymoshenko. But in 2010, he changed sides and helped pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Many people saw this as a betrayal.
He became a top legal official. In 2012, he helped write a new criminal code. Critics say he changed the law to help corrupt leaders. He was also accused of helping Russia control Ukraine through the courts.
Portnov had a lot of power. He sued journalists who exposed him. He used threats and harsh words. Even when the media had proof, the courts sided with him. Many judges were loyal to him.
The U.S. punished him for his actions. They said he paid for court rulings and gave jobs to friends.
He also went after people who joined the 2014 Maidan protests. These protests pushed Yanukovych out. After that, Portnov fled to Moscow.
Later, he ran a pro-Russian TV station. In 2019, he came back to Ukraine. But when Russia invaded in 2022, he left again.
Many people had reasons to want him gone. Some think it was Russia. Others believe it was a crime over money or revenge. Spanish police are still looking for answers.
Some Ukrainian experts think he knew too much. He was involved in shady deals with many people.
Ukraine’s spy agency says they were not involved. They have done hits in Russian areas before, but not in Spain.
His death may not change much. Many people he helped are still in power. One expert said, “Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean his influence is.”
