5 Ukrainians, 1 US National brought to Patiala High Court (Photo: ANI)

5 Ukrainians, 1 US National brought to Patiala High Court

03 Jul 2026, 11:05 by KalingaTV Bureau · KalingaTV

New Delhi: Five Ukrainians and one US national, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for their alleged involvement in providing terrorist and combat training to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, were produced before the Patiala House Court on Friday.

The accused are alleged to have entered India on tourist visas before allegedly travelling through Mizoram into Myanmar. There, they came into contact with ethnic armed groups operating against the Myanmar military junta.

The NIA alleged that the accused provided training and support relating to drone warfare and other military technologies to such groups. As a result, this has raised concerns affecting India’s national security.

The accused persons are presently in judicial custody, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Earlier in June, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) moved a Special NIA Court at Patiala House seeking permission to obtain specimen voice samples of all arrested accused persons in the alleged Myanmar training module case. This request is part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational conspiracy. The conspiracy involves foreign nationals accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to the NIA, the case was registered on March 13, 2026, under Section 18 of the UAPA. This was pursuant to directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The agency has alleged that a group of foreign nationals entered India on tourist visas and traveled to Mizoram. Subsequently, they crossed into Myanmar without requisite permits. There, they allegedly imparted training in drone warfare, drone operations, assembly and jamming technology to Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs).

This comes as the NIA is simultaneously seeking an extension of time to complete its investigation against seven arrested foreign nationals. These include US citizen Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and six Ukrainian nationals. The Ukrainians are Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor.

The agency had sought an extension of the statutory investigation period from 90 days to 180 days under the UAPA. It contends that the probe concerns a “deep-rooted criminal conspiracy” with Pan-India and transnational linkages. The NIA has informed the court that the investigation remains at a crucial stage and additional time is required to analyze seized electronic devices. In addition, they still need to examine financial transactions. They must also trace funding sources and uncover the larger conspiracy.

According to the agency, numerous digital devices have been seized during the investigation, and forensic analysis is still underway. The NIA has also identified several bank accounts and financial channels allegedly used by the accused persons. Moreover, the agency has stated that detailed financial scrutiny is necessary before a final report can be filed.

The NIA has further argued that the release of the accused persons at this stage could adversely affect the investigation. They allege that the accused may flee the jurisdiction or influence witnesses.

Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi, along with Amit Rohila, appeared for the NIA in the extension proceedings. Advocate Nitin Saluja represented the Ukrainian nationals, while Advocates Rohit Dandriyal and Rohit Gour appeared for Van Dyke.

(ANI)

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