Russia Ukraine Crisis: Student From Karnataka Killed In Shelling In Ukraine's Kharkiv

Ukraine-Russia Crisis: Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning

The student has been identified as Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a native of Chalageri in Karnataka's Haveri district (ABP)

New Delhi: A student from Karnataka was killed amid heavy shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. The student has been identified as Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a native of Chalageri in Karnataka's Haveri district.

“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. We convey our deepest condolences to the family,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

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.

We convey our deepest condolences to the family.

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 1, 2022

Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Dr Manoj Rajan said Naveen had gone to a nearby store when he was killed in shelling. "He was from Chalageri, Haveri. He had left for a nearby store to buy something. Later his friend got a call from a local official that he (Naveen) has died," ANI quoted Dr Manoj Rajan as saying.

We have confirmed from MEA the unfortunate demise of Naveen Shekharappa in #Ukraine. He was from Chalageri, Haveri; had left for a nearby store to buy something. Later his friend got a call from a local official that he (Naveen) has died: Manoj Rajan, Commissioner, Karnataka SDMA pic.twitter.com/S9iEyYzrx8

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2022

In Ukraine, Naveen was living in Arkhitektora Beketova. He was studying medicine at Kharkiv National Medical University.

In another tweet, the MEA said the Foreign Secretary was calling ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate its demand for "urgent safe passage" to Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and in other cities conflict zones. "Similar action is also being undertaken by our ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine," the MEA said.

Foreign Secretary is calling in Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate our demand for urgent safe passage for Indian 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.

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 1, 2022

Karnataka's Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai spoke to Naveen's father and said that efforts would be made to bring back Naveen's body to India. Naveen's father told PTI that no one from the Indian Embassy reached out to stranded Indian students in Kharkiv.

Naveen Shekharappa, a Haveri district student died in #Ukraine. CM Bommai spoke with his father. All efforts will be made to bring back Naveen's body to India. The CM said that the matter is being negotiated with foreign ministry officials: Karnataka CMO

(file pic) pic.twitter.com/KeRH8qU6ZJ

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2022

Earlier, the Indian embassy in Ukraine asked its citizens to leave the capital Kyiv “urgently today”. 

“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.

Through "Operation Ganga", the government is airlifting students from Ukraine's border countries Hungary, Poland, and Romania using special flights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also asked the Air Force to join the operation to bring back the students. 

Russia is rapidly launching airstrikes to capture the cities of Ukraine. On Tuesday, in Kharkiv, Russia launched an air raid and blew up Kharkiv's headquarters.