Nigerian medical student killed by Russian airstrike on eve of graduation
A 23-year-old Nigerian medical student, Nnani Adaobi Marian, has died from injuries sustained during a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, just days before she was due to graduate from medical school.
Marian, a student of Kharkiv National Medical University, was caught in the attack on June 29 when Russian forces reportedly launched aerial bombs on the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv.
According to a statement issued by the university, Marian suffered severe injuries in the strike and was initially treated in Kharkiv before being transferred to Germany for advanced medical care. Despite efforts by doctors in both countries, she later succumbed to her injuries.
“As a result of enemy shelling, Nnani Adaobi Marian was seriously injured. Doctors fought for her life until the last moment: first in Kharkiv, and later in Germany. Everyone sympathised, helped, and hoped for her recovery, but unfortunately, despite all the efforts of the doctors, they could not save her,” the university said.
The institution described Marian as an outstanding student who enrolled in 2020 and consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout her studies.
It noted that she actively pursued professional development through international internships, including programmes at University of Cambridge in 2024 and Biruni University in 2025, where she further developed her medical skills and participated in scientific research.
The university also remembered her as a bright, hardworking and compassionate individual who was passionate about helping others.
Reports indicated that Marian was travelling with her friend, Fatima Huseynova, for a graduation photoshoot when the airstrike occurred. The two students were expected to receive their medical degrees the following day.
While Huseynova was killed in the attack, Marian sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
The June 29 bombardment reportedly killed 14 people across several Ukrainian regions and injured dozens more, with one of the bombs exploding on a roadway in Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district.(Daily Sun)
