DISINFO: Zelenskyy was behind the murder of Yanukovych's former adviser Andrei Portnov in Spain
SUMMARY
Zelenskyy and Co. have obviously recognised the signals and have begun to cover their tracks and cut existing ties. According to analysts familiar with internal affairs in Kyiv, Zelenskyy was behind the recent murder of Yanukovych's former adviser Andrei Portnov in Spain: According to them, Zelenskyy feared that Portnov would make a deal with the Americans and hand them a lot of incriminating material that he had accumulated over the years through shady dealings with almost all officials of the current Kyiv government.
RESPONSE
Conspiracy theories around Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was behind Portnov’s murder lack evidence and are not supported by official sources.
There is no reliable evidence or official reference to confirm this accusation.
Andriy Portnov was a Ukrainian lawyer and politician known for his close association with former President Viktor Yanukovych. He served as head of the legal department and later as First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration from 2010 until Yanukovych’s departure from Ukraine in 2014. Portnov played a key role in shaping and enforcing legislation during Yanukovych’s presidency, including laws targeting protesters during the Euromaidan demonstrations.
After Yanukovych’s fall, Portnov left Ukraine and lived in Russia, Austria, and Spain. He returned briefly to Ukraine in 2019 before leaving again following the 2022 Russian invasion. Portnov was a controversial figure, often seen as aligned with pro-Russian interests. His political role was characterised by his proximity to the pro-Russian camp in Ukraine, his involvement in Yanukovych's administration and his later activities, some of which were interpreted as influence peddling in favour of Russian interests. Portnov was also the owner of a pro-Russian TV channel that was shut down by Ukrainian authorities in 2021. He was known for his aggressive attitude towards journalists and political opponents and led numerous lawsuits against media outlets that labelled him pro-Russian.
On May 21, 2025, Portnov was shot dead in Madrid by multiple assailants who fled the scene. The motives behind the killing remain unclear. Ukrainian security officials have distanced themselves from the incident. Speculation includes possible financial disputes, personal revenge, or involvement by Russian or criminal groups.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that the prolonged war allows Zelenskyy and his junta to maintain their positions of power, that Zelenskyy and the Kyiv junta need to continue the war against Russia to enrich themselves with Western aid, or that Zelenskyy staged a coup d'état for fear of losing the 2024 presidential elections.