Ukraine’s ambassador to India, Dr Igor Polikha, offered his condolences after an Indian student died in shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, during the Russian attack on the country’s second-largest city.

“I extend my deepest condolences on the death of Indian student Naveen Shekharappa who was killed in shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Earlier shelling and bombings happened on military sites but now also happening in the civil areas,” he said, according to news agency ANI. 

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He further called on world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia. “It’s like the massacre arranged by Mughals against Rajputs. We are asking every time all influential world leaders, among them Modi Ji, to use every resource against Putin to stop bombing and shelling,” he said, reported ANI.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday that an Indian student had died in Kharkiv due to shelling. 

The official spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi had tweeted, “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.”

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The student was later identified as Naveen Shekharappa, as per ANI. 

While Naveen had moved to a bunker for safety, he died of the missile attack when he’d emerged from the hiding place and gone to the supermarket to get some groceries, The Week reported. The magazine also interviewed Naveen’s friend, Srikanth, who said, “Nine of us (students) were in the bunker. After the night curfew ended, he left the bunker after 6.30am to buy some food. He had called me around 7.58am and asked me to transfer some money to his card. When I called his number, some locals received the call and started crying. They informed us that Naveen had died”.

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Arindam Bagchi said that foreign secretary Harsh Vandhan Shringla was 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.

India has repeatedly stated that its chief focus is on the safety and quick evacuation of nationals in Ukraine. To that extent, PM Modi had earlier spoken to both presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Russia and Ukraine, respectively, to take stock of the situation. 

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Evacuation flights, operated by the now-Tata owned Air India, are already underway. Several Indians have returned safely as a result. Currently, around 14,000 Indians remain in Ukraine, while 8,000 have left via various evacuation flights, NDTV reported.