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The murder of Andriy Portnov in a suburb of Madrid has sent shockwaves through the Ukrainian community, yet it hasn't sparked a wave of mourning.
The divisive former official had just finished dropping off his children at the American School when he was shot multiple times in the parking lot.
The sight of his motionless body sprawled on the ground in sports attire signifies the conclusion of a life deeply intertwined with Ukrainian corruption and Russian influence.
Media outlets in Ukraine have been reflecting on the 51-year-old’s numerous threats against journalists, as well as his considerable power during the administration of the last pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych.
"A man who advocated for the elimination of political rivals has now experienced what he once wished upon others," remarked journalist Oleksandr Holubov. The news site Ukrayinska Pravda even labeled him "the devil’s advocate."
A rare expression of decorum came from his former political opponent, MP Serhiy Vlasenko, who stated: "One cannot take a life. When we talk about someone’s death, we need to maintain our humanity."
Portnov was a polarizing figure and broadly unliked. Although the reasons behind his murder might be apparent, his death still raises many unanswered questions.
'A key player'
Prior to entering the world of Ukrainian politics, Portnov operated a law firm. He was associated with then-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko until 2010, before switching allegiance to Yanukovych's faction when he clinched the presidency.
"It was a significant tale of betrayal," recalls Ukrainian journalist Kristina Berdynskykh. "Because Tymoshenko represented pro-Western politics, while Yanukovych was aligned with pro-Russian interests."
The adviser became the first deputy head of the Presidential Office in the country and established a national criminal code in 2012. According to his critics, his rise was driven more by a desire for power and influence than by political aspirations.
"He was simply a skilled lawyer; everyone recognized his intelligence," Kristina shares with me.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Ukraine was left with a judicial system that urgently required reform. Mykhailo Zhernakov, a legal specialist and head of the Dejure Foundation, believes that Portnov reshaped the system to enable the government to conceal illicit activities and to obscure Russian efforts to exert control over the nation.
"He was the mastermind, the central figure behind this corrupt legal framework designed to serve the pro-Russian administration at that time," he states.
'A corrupt system'
Throughout ten years, Portnov would file lawsuits against journalists who published unfavorable articles about him, using the courts and judges he influenced. His bid to dominate the judicial system ultimately led to him facing sanctions from the US.
During that period, Washington accused the adviser of appointing loyal officials to high-ranking positions for his personal gain and of "purchasing court rulings."
Later, Portnov targeted activists involved in Ukraine's Maidan Revolution, which ousted Viktor Yanukovych from power, forcing him to flee the country to Russia.
"He resorted to sexual intimidation," notes Oksana Romaniuk, who recalls her encounters with Portnov and other journalists vividly.
As the director of the Institute of Mass Information, she keeps an eye on free speech in Ukraine.
Whenever a critical report was released, the response was predictable and uniform. "When people revealed his corruption, he labeled them as spreading fake news," she explains.
"Even when journalists had documents and testimonies to support their claims, they could not win the legal battles in court. Defending themselves was impossible. It was a corrupt system."
Andriy Portnov ultimately moved to Moscow following the departure of his former boss Yanukovych in 2014. Investigative journalist Maksym Savchuk later looked into his connections to Moscow and his significant property investments there.
"He replied with remarks I prefer not to repeat, offensive ones regarding my mother," he recalls. "This reflects his personality; he is a very spiteful individual."
Even after relocating from Ukraine, Portnov continued attempting to shape Ukrainian politics by taking charge of the pro-Kremlin television network NewsOne.
He returned in 2019 but fled once more with the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
The irony of Portnov eventually relocating to Spain and enrolling his children in an esteemed American school has not gone unnoticed by many.
In addition to the overt joy surrounding Portnov's demise, there has been constant conjecture about who might be behind it.
"It might have been the Russians, given the extensive information he possessed," proposes legal analyst Mykhailo Zhernakov.
"He was part of numerous dubious Russian dealings, so it could have been them or other organized crime groups. He certainly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way," he adds.
In contrast to the clearer motives on this side of the border, Ukrainian security officials seem to be attempting to detach themselves from the assassination.
Kyiv has previously conducted assassinations within Russian-occupied regions and on Russian soil, but they have not done so in Spain.
Some reports from Spanish media indicate that his killing might not be politically motivated but instead connected to “financial issues or revenge.”
"You can only imagine the number of individuals that need to be questioned to narrow down the list of suspects," suggests Maskym Savchuk. "This individual has countless enemies."
In Ukraine, Portnov is viewed as someone who contributed to laying the groundwork for Russia’s invasion. The general animosity toward him has only grown since 2022.
However, Mykhailo Zhernakov hopes his passing presents an opportunity for broader judicial reforms.
"His departure doesn't erase his influence," he cautions. "Many of those whom he appointed or assisted in getting positions still hold power within the system."
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