A 21-year-old Indian student has died in Russian shelling in Kharkiv , the country’s Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday morning, March 1. 

The student was identified as Naveen from Karnataka’s Haveri. He was a 4th Year Medical Student studying at Kharkiv National Medical University.

He belonged to Chalageri village in Haveri district, Karnataka, about 300 km from Bengaluru. His father Shekharappa Gyanagoudar, is a retired private firm employee.

“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. 

“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.”  he added. 

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. 

Watch the student’s last video call with his family below…