By Joy Omagha Idam
The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigerian student, Marian Nnani, in Kharkov, Ukraine, while disputing media reports that linked her death to the operations of the Russian Armed Forces.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Embassy extended its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, describing her death as a painful and irreparable loss.
The Embassy, however, maintained that there was no verified evidence at present to establish that the Russian military was responsible for the incident.
According to the statement, available information does not conclusively identify the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, arguing that civilian casualties are often caused by what it described as the “chaotic operation” of Ukraine’s air defence system.
The Russian diplomatic mission further insisted that the Russian Armed Forces conduct precision strikes aimed strictly at military installations and do not deliberately target civilians or civilian infrastructure.
It also criticised sections of the Nigerian media, including major national newspapers, accusing them of publishing what it termed one-sided and unverified reports that blamed the Russian Federation without documented evidence.
The Embassy expressed concern that while reports highlighting allegations against Russia received widespread coverage, information it previously circulated regarding an alleged attack on Lugansk State Pedagogical University College in Starobelsk was largely ignored.
According to the Embassy, the incident, which it attributed to Ukrainian forces, claimed the lives of 21 students on May 22, 2026.
The statement urged media organisations to maintain balance and objectivity in reporting developments related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict by presenting all sides of the issues and verifying facts before publication.
The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fifth year, has continued to generate conflicting claims from both sides, with independent verification of battlefield incidents often proving difficult.