Russian airstrike kills Nigerian medical graduate days before graduation
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineAdaobi Marian Nnani, a 23-year-old Nigerian medical graduate, has died from injuries sustained during a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, just days before her graduation ceremony.
Available information indicated that Nnani was injured on June 29, 2026 when Russian forces reportedly struck the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv with aerial bombs.
The graduate was initially treated in Kharkiv before being transferred to Germany, where she died on July 5, 2026 despite efforts by doctors to save her life.
Confirming her death in a statement, Kharkiv National Medical University paid tribute to the young graduate, describing her as an exceptional student with a passion for helping others.
The university said: “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 institution added that although medical teams in both Ukraine and Germany fought to save her, her injuries proved fatal.
“Everyone sympathized, helped and hoped for her recovery, but they could not save her life,” the university added.
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The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office also extended condolences to her family, noting that doctors “fought for her life until the very end”.
Nnani had been studying at Kharkiv National Medical University since 2020 and had further strengthened her medical training through internships at the University of Cambridge and Biruni University in Türkiye.
According to reports, she and her friend, Fatima Huseynova, were on their way to a graduation photoshoot when the airstrike occurred.
Huseynova died at the scene, while Nnani was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The attack reportedly left 12 other people injured, adding to the civilian casualties from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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