Suspect Arrested in Germany in High-Profile Killing of Former Ukrainian Aide

A suspect has been apprehended in Germany in connection with the 2025 assassination of Andriy Portnov, a prominent former Ukrainian presidential aide with a controversial history. The arrest, announced by Spanish and German authorities on February 25, 2026, marks a significant development in the investigation into the daylight shooting that shocked observers across Europe. The individual is believed to be the shooter who fatally wounded Portnov outside a school in Madrid last May, bringing the international probe a step closer to identifying those responsible for the audacious crime.

The joint operation between Spanish and German law enforcement culminated in the arrest of an unnamed individual in Heinsberg, Germany. Officers from the Homicide Department No. 5 of the Madrid Police Headquarters traveled to Germany, receiving support from a German operations team, including the Special Operations Group of the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, to carry out the apprehension. The arrest was made possible through a European arrest warrant and a European search warrant that had been issued earlier for the suspect's residence. While Spanish police have released no specific details about the detained suspect, they confirmed that the ongoing investigation indicates this person fired the shots that killed Portnov. The identity of the suspect has not been disclosed by authorities.

The Assassination in Madrid

Andriy Portnov, 51, was gunned down on May 21, 2025, in an upscale Madrid suburb, Pozuelo de Alarcón. The attack occurred in front of the American School, where Portnov was reportedly dropping off his children. Witnesses and police sources indicated that Portnov was getting into his black Mercedes-Benz when multiple assailants shot him several times, with at least three fatal shots striking his back and head. Emergency services arriving at the scene found him dead. Following the shooting, the attackers fled on foot towards a wooded area, prompting a large-scale police response that included cordoning off the school's car park and deploying helicopters and drones in search of the perpetrators. The brazen nature of the killing in a quiet residential area sent ripples of concern through the international community.

A Politician's Contested Past

Portnov's death immediately drew international attention due to his prominent and often controversial political career in Ukraine. He served as a senior aide to Ukraine's former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country following the 2014 Euromaidan revolution. After Yanukovych's ouster, Portnov left Ukraine, facing multiple investigations on accusations of treason and embezzlement. While some of these criminal proceedings were later closed or canceled by Ukrainian courts, his past continued to be marked by legal scrutiny.

Furthermore, Portnov had been subjected to international sanctions. He was placed under European Union sanctions, though these were eventually dropped. More recently, in 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department added Portnov to its sanctions list, citing his alleged involvement in "corruption, including the mis-appropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government" through extensive connections to Ukraine's judicial and law enforcement apparatus.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the circumstances surrounding his death, Ukrainian media reported that Portnov had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his senior advisers in Kyiv just days before his assassination, during a May 17-19, 2025 visit. This reported visit occurred despite earlier reports that Portnov had fled Ukraine again after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, circumventing a ban on military-age men leaving the country. His complicated allegiances and history have fueled speculation regarding the motive behind his murder.

Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation

The arrest of a suspect in Germany underscores the transnational nature of high-profile criminal investigations, particularly those with potential political ramifications. Spain has previously experienced other incidents involving individuals connected to Ukrainian and Russian affairs. In 2022, a Russian businessman tied to the gas company Novatek was found dead in an apparent suicide, and in February 2024, a Russian pilot who had defected to Ukraine was fatally shot near Alicante. These incidents highlight a disturbing trend of violence targeting figures linked to the ongoing conflict and political tensions surrounding Ukraine.

While the apprehension in Germany represents a significant step toward justice for Portnov's killing, many questions remain unanswered. The identity of the suspect, their potential affiliations, and the ultimate motive behind the assassination are yet to be revealed. The ongoing investigation is expected to shed more light on the intricate web of circumstances that led to Portnov's death, potentially uncovering deeper layers of international intrigue. The collaboration between Spanish and German authorities demonstrates a commitment to pursuing justice across borders, signaling that such acts will be met with a coordinated and persistent law enforcement response. The case continues to evolve as investigators work to piece together the full narrative of this complex and politically charged assassination.