New Delhi: In a significant security development, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained six Ukrainian nationals and one American citizen on allegations of plotting terrorist activities against India. The arrests have triggered a diplomatic response from Kyiv, which has demanded immediate consular access to its citizens and formally protested the detentions.
BIG STORY ⚠️
U.S. national @Matt_VanDyke & 6 Ukrainians arrested by India’s NIA on grave charges of using India as a logistics base to train Myanmar-based insurgent groups in drone warfare.
Here’s everything we know so far: pic.twitter.com/IkAadqqWPa
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) March 17, 2026
According to officials, the seven foreigners were booked under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, which deals with conspiracy related to terrorist acts. They have been remanded to 11 days of NIA custody until March 27 as investigators probe their alleged links and movements.
India arrests 6 Ukrainians, 1 American for ‘terrorist training’ in Myanmar — IANS
Detained for ‘illegal entry, weapons and drone training, and importing drones from Europe’ pic.twitter.com/7EvaS2flyv
— RT (@RT_com) March 16, 2026
Ukraine Lodges Formal Protest
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the detention of its citizens occurred without prior official notification to its embassy in New Delhi, which it described as contrary to established international diplomatic practice.
In a statement, Kyiv demanded “unimpeded consular access” to the detainees and called for their immediate release.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk, met MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George and submitted a formal diplomatic note seeking clarification about the arrests and urging access to the detained citizens.
The Ukrainian embassy has also initiated contact with other Indian authorities to gather details about the circumstances that led to the arrests.
Alleged Activities in Mizoram and Myanmar
According to investigators, the case involves the unauthorised entry of the foreign nationals into Mizoram, a region where foreign visitors typically require a special permit.
Authorities suspect the group may have illegally crossed the India–Myanmar border and met with members of ethnic organisations believed to hold interests hostile to India.
Investigators are also examining claims that the group arranged for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be shipped from Europe to Mizoram before allegedly transporting them across the border into Myanmar.
Arrests at Multiple Airports
Reports indicate that three Ukrainian nationals each were detained at Lucknow and New Delhi airports, while the American citizen was intercepted at Kolkata airport by immigration authorities.
The U.S. Embassy in India declined to comment on the arrest of the American national, citing privacy concerns.
Ukraine Questions Allegations
Kyiv has strongly denied that there is any confirmed evidence linking its citizens to unlawful activities in India or Myanmar.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry also argued that restricted areas requiring special permits are often poorly marked, raising the possibility that foreigners might inadvertently violate local travel regulations.
Investigation Ongoing
The NIA is continuing its investigation to determine the timeline of the group’s entry into India, their travel to Myanmar, and their alleged contacts with militant-linked groups. Officials have not yet disclosed when the seven individuals first entered India or returned from Myanmar.
The case has now taken on both security and diplomatic dimensions, with Indian investigators pursuing the terror conspiracy probe while Ukraine presses for transparency and consular access for its detained citizens.
