US, Ukrainian nationals imparted drone training to rebels: NIA tells court

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told a Delhi court it is probing a US citizen and six Ukrainian nationals for their alleged role in a cross-border terror conspiracy involving suspected drone training for ethnic armed groups operating near the India-Myanmar border.

The accused include American Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainians, Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim and Kaminskyi Viktor, detained during coordinated operations at airports on March 13. VanDyke was intercepted in Kolkata , while three Ukrainians were stopped in Lucknow and three others in New Delhi .

According to investigators, the group entered India on tourist visas and travelled via Guwahati to Mizoram without obtaining the required Restricted Area or Protected Area permits before allegedly crossing illegally into Myanmar . The NIA suspects they conducted pre-planned training sessions in drone operation, assembly and electronic jamming for Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs).

Officials told the court the accused are being investigated under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) , particularly Section 18 , which deals with conspiracy to commit terrorist acts. The agency said the probe has uncovered new leads suggesting an international network supporting armed groups in the region.

Investigators suspect the group transported drones and jamming equipment from Europe , routing them through India before reaching insurgent factions in Myanmar. Some of these groups are believed to maintain links with banned outfits active in India’s Northeast, raising security concerns.

Intelligence inputs suggest the suspects may have travelled repeatedly to Myanmar since 2024 to provide technical assistance. Authorities are also examining whether a larger network used India as a transit route, with as many as 14 Ukrainians entering on tourist visas during the period.

The Embassy of Ukraine in India has sought consular access for its citizens. Defence lawyers say no drones were recovered and deny any training occurred.

The court noted several key questions remain unanswered, why the accused came to India, their Myanmar travel, and whether they had links with insurgent groups, calling the case sensitive and requiring deeper investigation .