Indian Student Killed in Shelling in Ukraine's Kharkiv

NEW DELHI: An Indian student was killed in shelling in Ukraine's Kharkiv today, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Notably, the deceased identified as Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar was a final year medical student from Karnataka's Haveri who died when Russian soldiers blew up a government building on Tuesday.

"With profound sorrow, we confirm that an Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning. The Ministry is in touch with his family," Arindam Bagchi posted on his official Twitter handle.

Bagchi further said foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla is calling in ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate India's demand for urgent safe passage for its nationals who are still in Kharkiv and cities in other conflict zones. "Similar action is also being undertaken by our Ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine," he added in the tweet.

News of the student's death came within hour of the Indian embassy in Ukraine asking its citizens to urgently leave the capital Kyiv. "Advisory to Indians in Kyiv- All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available (sic)," a statement from the embassy read.

The Indian government has undertaken a massive mission to bring back its stranded citizens from war-torn Ukraine via neighbouring countries and has sent its senior ministers to assist the evacuation process. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the Indian Air Force to join the evacuation efforts under Operation Ganga, even as as special flights of Air India are being run to bring back the citizens.

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