Ukraine has refuted claims against six of its nationals held in India, stating a lack of concrete evidence linking them to illegal activities. Indian authorities are investigating a broader case related to Myanmar. The Trump administration has not yet responded to the arrest of an American citizen on similar charges.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized the absence of proof implicating its citizens in unlawful actions in India or Myanmar. It cautioned against misinterpretations and baseless accusations in certain media reports. India’s National Investigation Agency has apprehended seven foreign individuals, including six Ukrainians and one American, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Allegations suggest the group utilized India as a transit point to access conflict zones in Myanmar and aid armed factions.
Officials are looking into whether the accused trespassed restricted zones without authorization and unlawfully entered Myanmar. Their detention has been extended until March 27 following a court ruling on March 16. Several Ukrainian nationals reportedly entered India on tourist visas, traveled to Mizoram without permits, and then crossed into Myanmar. Authorities suspect their involvement in training ethnic armed groups and supporting drone operations, potentially constituting mercenary activities.
The suspects were intercepted at airports in Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata before being presented in court. Investigations are underway to identify accomplices and scrutinize a broader network. Ukraine has expressed concerns regarding due process, stating that its embassy was not officially notified of the detentions. The embassy demanded immediate consular access to the detainees, which was not granted during the court hearing. Ukraine’s ambassador has engaged with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, urging the release and access to the detainees.
The US embassy in India refrained from commenting on cases involving US citizens due to privacy reasons. Ukraine highlighted that while permits are required for restricted areas in India, the lack of proper ground markings could lead to inadvertent violations.
