•Late Marian Adaobi Nnani and Russian bomber jets
The Russian Federation has disputed reports linking its military to the death of Nigerian medical graduate, Miss Marian Adaobi Nnani, saying there is no confirmed evidence that she was killed by a Russian strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
The position was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria following reports of the 23-year-old’s death during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The response comes hours after the federal government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mourned Nnani’s death, saying she reportedly died from injuries sustained during a Russian aerial attack in Kharkiv.
In its earlier statement, the ministry said it was working with relevant authorities as well as Nigeria’s missions in Ukraine and Germany to verify the circumstances surrounding the incident while providing consular assistance to the bereaved family.
Reacting to the reports, the Russian Embassy expressed condolences to Nnani’s family and friends but rejected assertions that the Russian Armed Forces were responsible for her death.
“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 said.
It, however, maintained that investigations had not established who was responsible for the incident.
“The Embassy emphasises that at the moment there is no confirmed information on whose actions really caused the death of the student. It is widely known that the chaotic operation of the Ukrainian air defense is the primary cause of civil casualties,” the embassy stated.
The mission also insisted that Russian forces do not deliberately target civilians or civilian infrastructure during military operations.
“The Embassy reiterates that Russian Armed Forces execute strikes precisely at military purpose installations of the Ukrainian regime and never target civilians or social infrastructure,” it added.
Meanwhile, the federal government had expressed deep concern over the continued loss of civilian lives in the conflict and renewed its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged all parties to embrace dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
