Kyiv: A 21-year-old 4th year medical student Naveen Shekhararappa Gyanagoudar of Indian origin has been killed in the bombing on Tuesday in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Indian Government has also confirmed the tragic death. He was a native of Chalageri in Karnataka.
India's Ministry of External Affairs 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," he added.
India's foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla is calling in Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate India's demand for urgent safe passage for the Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and cities in other conflict zones.
As per reports, around 3000 Indian students have taken shelters in Kharkiv.
"Similar action is also being undertaken by our Ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine," Bagchi said.
"All civilians in the city can freely leave the Ukrainian capital along the Kyiv-Vasylkiv highway. This direction is open and safe," Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
Immediately thereafter, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine asked the stranded nationals to leave Kyiv immediately by any means.
"All Indian nationals, including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available," Indian Embassy said in an advisory.