Russia Denies Responsibility as Probe Continues into Death of Nigerian Medical Graduate in Ukraine

The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has formally responded to reports surrounding the death of 23-year-old Nigerian medical graduate, Nnani Adaobi Marian, who succumbed to injuries sustained during an attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, while denying claims that Russian forces were responsible for the incident.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the embassy extended condolences to Marian’s family and friends, describing her death as a tragic loss. However, it insisted that there is no verified evidence linking the Russian Armed Forces directly to the fatal attack.

According to the diplomatic mission, Russian military operations are directed exclusively at military objectives and are not intended to target civilians or civilian infrastructure. It argued that civilian casualties are often associated with what it described as the disorganised operation of Ukraine’s air defence systems.

The embassy also criticised sections of the Nigerian media for attributing blame to Russia before the completion of official investigations. It maintained that reports accusing Moscow of responsibility lacked verified evidence and failed to present alternative perspectives.

In addition, the Russian mission alleged that attacks it attributes to Ukrainian forces have received little attention from Nigerian media outlets. It cited a previous incident at the Lugansk State Pedagogical University College in Starobelsk, where 21 students were reportedly killed in May 2026, saying information about the attack was largely overlooked.

The embassy’s response comes as the Nigerian government continues efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding Marian’s death. The Federal Government has said it is working with Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Ukraine and Germany, alongside relevant authorities, to verify the facts of the incident and provide consular assistance to the bereaved family.

Marian reportedly sustained severe injuries during an attack in Kharkiv and later died in a hospital in Germany despite medical efforts to save her life. Authorities have yet to release a final investigative report determining responsibility for the incident.