NIA Arrests US National VanDyke, Six Ukrainians Following Russian Tip-Off

Indian investigators have detained a US citizen and six Ukrainian nationals after receiving intelligence from Russian authorities. Officials say the tip-off prompted focused action by the National Investigation Agency.

Arrests and legal status

The seven were arrested at Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata airports on March 13, 2025. A Delhi court remanded them to NIA custody until March 27.

The detainees include Mathew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainians. Their names are Maksym Honcharuk, Petro Hubra, Sukmanovskyi Ivan, Stefankiv Marian, Slyviak Taras and Kaminskyi Viktor.

Allegations and probe details

The NIA alleges the group entered India on tourist visas. They flew to Guwahati and then travelled to Mizoram without required RAP or PAP permits.

Investigators say the suspects crossed into Myanmar illegally. The NIA submitted they were involved in training Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups.

Authorities accuse the group of supplying drones, jamming equipment and delivering training in drone operations and assembly. The agency said the suspects admitted to multiple training trips and to importing large drone consignments from Europe via India.

Intelligence sharing and investigation efforts

Officials said Russia shared information that helped identify the suspects. The NIA then conducted operations in India’s northeast for nearly three months.

Authorities are tracing potential helpers. They aim to identify those who aided travel to Mizoram and crossings into Myanmar.

International responses and legal concerns

The US embassy said it was aware of the case but gave limited comment. US ambassador Sergio Gor reported a meeting with India’s national security advisor on key security topics.

Ukraine’s ambassador, Oleksandr Polishchuk, offered cooperation. He called for an open, objective process and involvement of Ukrainian experts under the 2003 mutual legal assistance treaty.

Family and legal representatives raised due-process issues. They want timely judicial presentation, Ukrainian-language charge briefings, interpreter access and consular contact.

An Indian lawyer for the Ukrainians later withdrew from the case, citing professional exigencies.

Regional context and background

Officials suspect the group travelled to Myanmar repeatedly since 2024. Mizoram’s chief minister, Lalduhoma, told the state assembly that nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Mizoram between June and December 2024.

He said many of those visitors did not appear to be tourists and left the state without notice. The chief minister also alleged some foreign nationals crossed into Myanmar to provide arms training.

Diplomatic sources noted that Ukraine has had no active contacts with the Myanmar junta since it took power. They also said there is no indication of official sanction from Kyiv for such activities.

Profile: Mathew Aaron VanDyke

VanDyke is from Baltimore. He has described himself as a soldier, war correspondent and international businessman.

He claims to have founded a military contracting firm named Sons of Liberty International.

The probe continues. Investigators are trying to confirm whether eight other reported members of the wider group remain in Myanmar or returned through India.

Filmogaz.com will monitor developments as the NIA advances its inquiries into the alleged cross-border network.