The RAP Trap: How Six Ukrainians Ended Up in India’s Highest-Security Custody

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 22:35 IST

The six Ukrainian citizens were apprehended in a coordinated NIA operation across several major transport hubs, while a US national was detained at Kolkata airport

A complex diplomatic situation has surfaced in India’s northeast as six Ukrainian nationals have been detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The group is currently at the centre of an investigation involving alleged unauthorised presence in Mizoram and potential illegal crossings into neighbouring Myanmar.

The six Ukrainian citizens were apprehended in a coordinated NIA operation across several major transport hubs, including Delhi and Lucknow, while a seventh individual—an American national identified as Matthew VanDyke—was detained at Kolkata airport. The primary charges involve the violation of India’s Foreigners Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Mizoram, where the group is alleged to have travelled, is a sensitive frontier state that shares a 510-kilometre border with Myanmar. For foreign nationals, entry into this region is strictly regulated by the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) system. Indian authorities allege that the group not only bypassed these permits but also engaged in “unlawful contact" with ethnic armed groups within Myanmar, allegedly providing training and equipment, including drones.

The Ukrainian government has responded with a formal note of protest, handed over by Ambassador Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Kyiv’s stance is one of procedural concern and a denial of criminal intent. A primary grievance is that, contrary to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Embassy of Ukraine was reportedly not officially notified of the detentions by the Indian government.

In a statement, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that there are currently “no established facts" proving the group’s involvement in illegal activities. It further pointed out a systemic issue in India’s border management: while certain zones require special permits, they are often not physically marked on the ground, leading to a high risk of “unintentional violations" by foreign travellers.

A significant portion of the diplomatic friction stems from the media coverage surrounding the case. Ukrainian officials have criticised “distorted interpretations" appearing in both Indian and Russian media, which they claim are manipulative and designed to prejudice the investigation. Specifically, Kyiv has pushed back against early reports suggesting the group was involved in “terrorist conspiracies", noting that such allegations remain unsubstantiated.

Legal proceedings are moving swiftly. On March 16, a court hearing in New Delhi extended the group’s detention until March 27. While Ukrainian embassy staff attended the hearing, they were reportedly denied direct communication with the detainees. The US Embassy has taken a more guarded approach, acknowledging the situation but refusing to comment on the specific case of their citizen due to privacy protocols.

To understand the gravity of the charges, one must look at the current state of the India-Myanmar border. Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar has been engulfed in a civil war between the military junta and various ethnic armed organisations. India has grown increasingly wary of “spillover" violence and the flow of refugees into Mizoram. New Delhi’s sensitivity regarding any foreign interference or support for groups near its borders is at an all-time high, explaining the NIA’s heavy-handed intervention and the invocation of anti-terror laws.

As the investigative window remains open until March 27, the priority for Ukrainian diplomats is securing “unimpeded consular access" to ensure the well-being of their citizens.

News india The RAP Trap: How Six Ukrainians Ended Up in India’s Highest-Security Custody

Read More