Russian Intelligence Behind NIA Crackdown On US National Matthew Vandyke, Six Ukrainians Linked To Myanmar Insurgency

New Delhi: In a big revelation, it was found that the Russian intelligence authorities had flagged information with their Indian counterparts on the activities of group of foreign nationals, including US citizen Matthew VanDyke's involvement in training anti government armed groups in Myanmar.

Based on the tip-off, which specifically detailed their involvement in providing drone warfare training, including the assembly, operation, and jamming of UAVs, Indian agencies began tracking the group's movements. 

The intelligence further indicated that specialized equipment and expertise were being routed through India, sparking significant security concerns. This coordinated surveillance ultimately led to the simultaneous arrest of the suspects at multiple airports across the country.

Who helped them?

Meanwhile, according to officials, Indian authorities are shifting their focus toward identifying individuals who helped American citizen Mathew Aaron VanDyke and several Ukrainian nationals travel through Mizoram to cross the border into Myanmar.

Investigators suspect the group had been frequently travelling to Myanmar since 2024, allegedly supplying drones and jamming equipment and imparting training to ethnic groups, they added.

While the seven individuals- Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor-  were arrested at airports in Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata on March 13 and on Monday, the seven accused were awere remanded to NIA custody till March 27 by a Delhi court.

They have been arrested in a case lodged under Section 18 (Terror Conspiracy) and BNS.

Meanwhile, as the six detained Ukrainians were reportedly part of a group of 14 people that had travelled to Myanmar, the authorities are also examining whether other members of the group, believed to be around 14 in total, are still in Myanmar or have exited through India.

What NIA has to say?

A NIA spokesperson declined to go into details and said in a statement: “Since the case is in the initial stage of investigation, we will not be able to share the details with you at this stage. The same will be shared at an appropriate time.”

‘Aware of the situation’

The US embassy in India has said “we are aware of the situation, but for privacy reasons we cannot comment on cases involving US citizens”, the American embassy said.

Ukraine's foreign ministry, meanwhile, said that there were "no established ​facts proving the involvement of the said Ukrainian citizens in unlawful activities on the territory of India or Myanmar".

"We draw attention to the fact that there are certain restricted-access zones in India for foreign nationals, entry to which is possible only with special permits," the statement said.

"At the same time, proper marking of such areas on the ground is often absent, which creates ​a risk of unintentional violation ​of the established rules."

How they entered India?

As per NIA's submission in the court, the agency alleges that VanDyke and the other accused entered India and travelled to northeastern states before illegally crossing into Myanmar to train ethnic armed groups.  

These groups are believed to have links with banned organisations operating in India, making the case particularly sensitive from a security standpoint.

Officials are also probing claims that drone consignments were routed from Europe to Myanmar via India, potentially for use in training and operations by these armed outfits.

Authorities are now examining several possible angles behind VanDyke’s presence in India. These include whether Indian territory was used as a transit route, possible links to banned groups, and broader questions of espionage or destabilisation attempts.

Investigators are analysing seized electronic devices and tracking movements to identify local contacts and funding sources. The US Embassy has acknowledged awareness of the case but has not commented further, citing privacy considerations.

Mizoram's CM take

While NIA began probing the matter recently, Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma had said in the state assembly in March 2025 that nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Mizoram between June and December 2024 and many of them didn’t come as tourists and left the state unnoticed. 

He also alleged that UK and US nationals had illegally crossed into Myanmar from Mizoram to provide arms training to insurgents in the neighbouring country.

Van Dyke, according to his website, is from Baltimore and has worked as a soldier, international businessman and war correspondent after failing to join the CIA. He claims to be a founder of a military contracting firm called Sons of Liberty International.
 

Also Read: Sidelining Israel? Trump Denies Involvement in South Pars Strike Despite Reports of US Briefing, Says ‘US Knew Nothing’