A 23-year-old Nigerian medical graduate, Nnani Adaobi Marian, has died after suffering severe injuries in a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukraine.
The Kharkiv National Medical University graduate was wounded on June 29, 2026 when Russian forces dropped aerial bombs on the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv.
She later d!ed in hospital on Sunday, July 5, after doctors battled to save her life, first in Kharkiv and later in Germany.
Kharkiv National Medical University confirmed her d3ath in a statement, describing her as a bright, sincere and kind-hearted person.
“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 university said.
The statement noted that due to the shelling she sustained severe injuries; treatment began in Kharkiv and later continued in Germany.
The university said that everyone sympathized, helped and hoped for her recovery, but they could not save her life.
According to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, doctors fought for her life until the very end, expressing sincere condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the deceased.
Adaobi had studied at Kharkiv National Medical University since 2020.
She also completed internships at the University of Cambridge and Biruni University in Turkey.
At the time of the attack, Adaobi and her friend, Fatima Huseynova, were said to be on their way to a photoshoot ahead of their graduation.
Fatima d!ed at the scene, while Adaobi was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
A total of 12 people were injured in the airstrike.
