Crime19 March, 20262 min read
India's NIA detains six Ukrainians and an American under anti-terror laws
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NIA detained seven foreign nationals—six Ukrainians and one American—under anti-terror laws. They allegedly entered India's northeast without permits and trained drone-armed groups in Myanmar.
Arrests Overview
Indian authorities have arrested seven foreign nationals under strict anti-terror laws in a high-profile investigation. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) detained six Ukrainian citizens and one American national across three different airports on March 13, 2026. The suspects are currently in custody and have been remanded until March 27.
“The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested seven foreign nationals across three airports under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).”
The arrests represent a significant security operation involving foreign nationals accused of violating India's national security laws. The investigation is being conducted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Allegations Details
The foreign nationals face serious allegations of plotting terror activities and engaging in unauthorized military training operations. According to reports, the suspects were accused of entering India's northeastern region without proper permits. They allegedly attempted to cross into neighboring Myanmar to train armed groups in drone warfare.
The American citizen, Matthew Aaron VanDyke, was detained by the Bureau of Immigration at Kolkata airport. Three Ukrainians were arrested in Lucknow and three more in Delhi. The investigation suggests a complex network involving international actors and potentially sensitive military training activities.
Suspect Backgrounds
Among the arrested suspects is Matthew Aaron VanDyke, an American citizen with a documented history of participating in conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. According to VanDyke's personal website and media reports, he fought alongside anti-Gaddafi fighters in Sirte, Libya during the 2011 civil war. The Ukrainian nationals have been identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor.
“According to VanDyke's personal website, he participated in the Iraq War and Libya's civil war.”
These individuals now face serious charges under India's stringent anti-terror legislation. The case has potential implications for international relations involving India, Ukraine, the United States, and potentially Russia.
Political Context
The investigation has taken on additional political dimensions with reports suggesting that Russia may have provided information about the Ukrainian nationals to Indian authorities. The case has also seen further developments with two more American tourists being arrested on March 14. The additional Americans were arrested for flying drones near Coast Guard headquarters in Kochi.
This secondary arrest occurred in the context of India hosting Iranian sailors during military exercises in February. The timing follows the torpedoing of another Iranian ship by the US, which reportedly killed dozens of Iranian sailors.
These incidents caused diplomatic embarrassment for New Delhi and highlight complex geopolitical dynamics. The interconnected nature of these incidents suggests potential international repercussions.