Russia Breaks Silence on Death of Nigerian Student Killed by Airstrike

The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has reacted to reports surrounding the death of 23 year old Nigerian student, Miss Nnani Adaobi Marian, who was reportedly killed during an airstrike in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

In a statement issued on Tuesday through its official channels, the embassy expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased while disputing claims that the Russian Armed Forces were responsible for her death.

According to the embassy, there is currently no confirmed evidence establishing whose actions led to the student’s death.

It maintained that Russian forces carry out strikes only against military targets and do not deliberately attack civilians or social infrastructure.

The statement also argued that civilian casualties are often linked to what it described as the “chaotic operation” of Ukraine’s air defence systems.

“The Embassy first of all expresses its deepest and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marian Nnani in connection with their irreparable loss,” the statement read.

It added that there was no verified information proving that Russian military operations directly caused the incident.

The embassy further criticised sections of the Nigerian media, accusing them of publishing what it described as one sided and unverified reports that blamed Russia without documented evidence.

It also alleged that reports highlighting attacks attributed to Ukrainian authorities had received little or no attention in the Nigerian media.

According to the embassy, information it previously shared regarding an attack on the Lugansk State Pedagogical University College in Starobelsk, where 21 students were reportedly killed in May 2026, was largely ignored by several Nigerian news organisations.

The diplomatic mission reiterated its position that Russian military operations are directed solely at military installations associated with the Ukrainian government.

The embassy’s statement comes shortly after the Federal Government of Nigeria announced that it had begun engaging relevant authorities and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Ukraine and Germany to verify the circumstances surrounding Marian’s death.

The government said it was also working to provide the necessary consular support to the deceased student’s family while investigations continue.

Officials have yet to release a final report on the incident, as efforts remain ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the student’s death and determine responsibility.