Portnov had a falling out with Andriy Yermak – media reports

According to *Ukrainska Pravda*, the conflict between Andriy Portnov and Andriy Yermak was long-standing and systemic.

One of Portnov’s associates, whose name the publication does not disclose, stated that the lawyer did not view Yermak in the way that, according to the source, Yermak would have liked.

UP sources close to Portnov claim that the parties had already crossed a line beyond which compromise or reconciliation was impossible.

What could have been the cause of the conflict

According to the publication’s sources, Portnov was influential and “controlled many processes”.

At the same time, as one of UP’s sources stated, this did not suit Yermak, as he allegedly sought to control these processes himself.

There is no official confirmation of these claims. The publication presents them as the views of unnamed sources.

Conflict with Artur Yemelyanov

Separately, UP writes about Portnov’s long-standing conflict with the former deputy head of the High Commercial Court, Artur Yemelyanov.

According to the publication, this conflict was at a critical stage during the last six months of Portnov’s life.

UP links the possible escalation, in particular, to the rivalry between businessmen Yuriy Kosyuk and Yevhen Sigal, who were competing in the agricultural market. According to the publication’s sources, Portnov and Yemelyanov may have represented the interests of different parties in this conflict.

What the investigation says about Yemelyanov

According to UP, citing sources in law enforcement agencies, the investigation has not obtained evidence of Artur Yemelyanov’s involvement in Portnov’s murder.

At the same time, the report notes that law enforcement officers have been examining various theories regarding possible motives for the murder.

The murder of Andriy Portnov

Andriy Portnov was shot dead on 21 May 2025 in the municipality of Posuelo de Alarcón near Madrid.

Spanish media reported that the attack took place near a school as Portnov was getting into his car after dropping off his children.

According to Spanish journalists, he was shot with a short-barrelled weapon. Later, Ukrainian media, citing sources, reported that several suspects were being investigated in connection with the case.

Portnov was considered one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in the Ukrainian judicial and law enforcement system.

His murder became one of the most high-profile cases involving Ukrainian figures abroad, and journalistic investigations into the case point to several possible lines of conflict.

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