THE PORTNOV MURDER: ELIMINATION OF A WITNESS AND ACCOMPLICE IN CRIMES

In 2019, when Volodymyr #Zelensky became president, Andriy #Portnov returned to Ukraine and began threatening me and other pro-Maidan, pro-Ukrainian activists. He felt more secure in #Ukraine than even during the #Yanukovych era. He was granted protection and began compiling execution lists targeting Ukrainians.

By early 2020, I received credible information that an assassination attempt was being planned against me. Trusted contacts within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), with whom I consulted, urged me to leave the country—at least temporarily. They told me plainly: the security apparatus was being infiltrated by Russian agents, and they could no longer guarantee my safety. After several consultations, I met with my lawyer. We reviewed the situation, and in February 2020, I made the decision to leave Ukraine. I managed to do so on the second attempt.

Just a few weeks after my departure, Serhiy Poyarkov contacted me, asking for permission to share my number with people who had urgent and important information. Soon after, journalist Rostyslav #Shaposhnikov called. He asked if I was safe and informed me that he had recordings of Ilya #Kiva discussing plans to have me killed. He also said that Portnov and then-Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen #Avakov were mentioned in these conversations. A few hours later, he sent me a link to a video on his YouTube channel containing the audio. Though the audio quality was poor, the context was enough to piece together a disturbing picture.

February 24 is a personal milestone for me: it was the date I left Ukraine in 2020. It is also, fatefully, the date when the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022. Despite the wartime travel ban on men, I later learned from sources within Ukraine"s Military Intelligence Directorate that in June 2022, GUR chief Kyrylo #Budanov personally facilitated Portnov"s escape from Ukraine.

And now, on May 21, 2025, Portnov was shot dead in #Madrid, #Spain.

What was the motive? Who carried it out—and why?

I strongly believe Portnov was eliminated by Ukrainian special services as a witness to the crimes of Ukraine"s current top leadership—#Zelensky, #Yermak, #Budanov, #Malyuk, "collective #tatarov" and others. Portnov was deeply integrated into this pro-Russian political structure. As the fall of this government nears, they are covering their tracks—eliminating witnesses.

Today, several people messaged me cheerfully: "Portnov wanted you—but they got him first." They were surprised by my reaction.

I am not angry—because there is nothing to celebrate.
I oppose murder. Portnov should have been brought to justice and testified as an accomplice to the genocidal crimes committed against the Ukrainian people in the 21st century. I stand by my principles. Those who currently "represent" Ukraine are petty, cynical plebeians—and those who collaborate with them become the same.

This situation has taken a dangerous turn.
Today, under the guise of refugees from Ukraine, many around the world act as covert agents—engaged in espionage, surveillance, assassinations, and more. The Ukrainian government now possesses unprecedented global reach and resources.

People like me—true patriots—are in a dire position. When I speak the truth about the government, I am immediately branded with the usual clichés: "Kremlin agent," "Moscow"s hand," and so on. But no regime has ever sown such division among Ukrainians as this one.

I appeal to those who call themselves media, bloggers, public figures: You kept quiet about the crime against me, you are silent about other crimes in Ukraine. But this mafia-oligarchic system needs victims for its existence. Tomorrow one of you may be in my place. Think about it. 

This is no longer about politics. This is something far more dangerous.

Journalist in exile
Roman #Revedzhuk

I described this in more detail on my Facebook page in Ukrainian.