Russia Input Triggered NIA Probe Into Arrest Of VanDyke, 6 Ukrainian Citizens

Last Updated:March 19, 2026, 14:04 IST

Russian authorities informed India about foreign nationals training armed groups in Myanmar, after which Indian agencies arrested 1 American and 6 Ukrainians.

Russian authorities have shared intelligence with India about a group of foreign nationals accused of training ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, officials said. Following these inputs, Indian agencies stepped up their probe after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested seven people, including an American national, Mathew Aaron VanDyke, and six Ukrainian citizens, Maksym Honcharuk, Petro Hubra, Sukmanovskyi Ivan, Stefankiv Marian, Slyviak Taras, and Kaminskyi Viktor.

The arrests were made on March 13 at airports in Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata. A Delhi court has remanded all seven to NIA custody till March 27.

Investigators believe the group had been travelling to Myanmar since 2024. They are suspected of supplying drones and jamming equipment and providing training to ethnic armed organisations.

Focus On Wider Network

The agencies are now trying to identify those who may have helped the suspects reach Mizoram and cross into Myanmar. They are also examining whether a larger network was involved.

The six Ukrainians are believed to be part of a group of 14 people who had travelled to Myanmar. Authorities are working to trace the remaining eight and determine whether they are still in Myanmar or have exited through India.

NIA teams had been operating in the north-eastern region for nearly three months before the arrests were made, officials added.

An NIA spokesperson declined to share further details, saying the case is still in its early stages and more information will be released at an appropriate time.

Legal And Diplomatic Developments

In a recent development, an Indian lawyer representing the Ukrainian nationals withdrew from the case citing professional reasons.

The US embassy said it is aware of the matter but declined to comment further. US Ambassador Sergio Gor recently met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and discussed key security and geopolitical issues, though it is not clear if this case was part of the talks.

Ukraine has expressed its willingness to cooperate with Indian authorities. Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk said the investigation should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner and suggested involving Ukrainian experts under the bilateral treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

He added that Ukraine respects India’s judicial process and is not seeking to influence it, but expects the proceedings to remain objective.

News india Russia Input Triggered NIA Probe Into Arrest Of VanDyke, 6 Ukrainian Citizens

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