Government dismisses social media rumours of Ukrainians training insurgents in Northeast
The Centre on Friday dismissed viral social media claims alleging that around 3,000 Ukrainian nationals had entered India and were hiding in the Northeast to train insurgent groups, calling the posts “fake” and misleading.
In an official statement, the government said certain posts circulating online alleged that thousands of Ukrainians had infiltrated India and were secretly training insurgents in the northeastern region with the backing of US mercenaries while supplying cheap drones to terrorist groups.
The government categorically rejected the claims, stating that no such large-scale infiltration had been detected.
Arrest of seven foreigners linked to Myanmar route
Clarifying the situation, the statement said seven foreign nationals — six Ukrainians and one American — had been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for attempting illegal entry into Myanmar through Mizoram.
“Immigration and security agencies remain fully alert and the investigation is ongoing,” the government said.
Among those arrested is Matthew Aaron VanDyke, a US citizen and international security analyst who was detained at Kolkata airport. He is the founder of the organisation Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) and describes himself as a veteran of the Libyan revolution.
The six Ukrainian nationals arrested have been identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim and Kaminskyi Viktor. They were initially detained at Delhi and Lucknow airports.
Charges related to unlawful activities
Officials said the group has been charged with engaging in unlawful activities for allegedly assisting armed militia groups in Myanmar that are believed to have links with anti-India insurgent outfits.
The arrests were made last week following a specific intelligence tip-off. The Bureau of Immigration first detained the individuals while they were moving through major transit hubs in India before handing them over to the NIA.
Investigation details
According to the FIR filed by the NIA, 14 Ukrainian nationals had entered India on tourist visas on different dates. They later travelled to Guwahati in Assam and subsequently to Mizoram without obtaining the mandatory Restricted Area Permit (RAP) or Protected Area Permit (PAP).
Investigators allege the group then crossed into Myanmar illegally to conduct pre-scheduled training for Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs).
The training was reportedly related to drone warfare and jamming technology.
The FIR stated that some of these armed groups are known to support banned insurgent organisations operating in India by supplying weapons, training and other forms of logistical support, posing a threat to national security.
Court remand
The seven arrested individuals were produced before a court on March 16 and were remanded to NIA custody for 11 days as investigators continue to probe the case.
Authorities reiterated that the viral claims about thousands of Ukrainians entering India were baseless and urged people not to spread unverified information on social media.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
