By our reporter 6.7.2026
A Nigerian medical student Adaobi Marian Nnani, died a few days after her graduation when she got hit by Russian air strikes in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
Nnani,23, had completed her medical studies at the Kharkiv National Medical University, but succumbed to her injuries sustained when the Russian forces launched aerial bomb attacks on Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district on June 29.
According to reports Nnani was going for a photoshoot with her friend and course mate Fatima Huseynova, when one of the bombs exploded in the district. Huseynova died on the spot, while Nnani died later in the hospital.
In a statement, Kharkiv National Medical University said medical teams in both Kharkiv and Germany made desperate efforts to keep the Nigerian student alive, but she couldn’t make it.
“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 university described Nnani’s death as a painful loss to the institution, noting that she had demonstrated academic excellence and commitment throughout her medical training.
According to the institution, Marian enrolled in 2020 and quickly distinguished herself as a responsible, hardworking and outstanding student with consistently high academic performance.
Beyond her classroom achievements, the university said she actively sought opportunities to broaden her professional knowledge through international training and research.
It noted that she completed internships at the University of Cambridge in 2024 and Biruni University in 2025, where she enhanced her clinical skills and participated in scientific research.
The institution also paid tribute to her character, describing her as compassionate, cheerful and dedicated to helping others.
“Nnani Adaobi Marian was a bright, sincere and kind-hearted person. She easily found common ground with people and was distinguished by her thirst for knowledge, hard work and sincere desire to help others,” the statement added.
The university said her death has left the academic community in mourning, coming at a time when she was preparing to celebrate the successful completion of her medical education.
Reports said 12 other people were killed and 98 injured in the strike.