Russia has provided India with surveillance data on Ukrainians detained in Mizoram
Russian intelligence agencies provided Indian authorities with surveillance data on a group of Ukrainian citizens detained in the state of Mizoram. It was this Russian “dossier” that formed the basis for the charges of collaboration with Myanmar’s insurgent groups.
India’s National Investigation Agency reported that law enforcement had been tracking the group for three months, and that Russia provided data on their movements, according to DW.
The Indian side accuses the Ukrainians of ties to armed groups in the border region, as well as of using drones or transferring technical equipment.
“Any allegations related to terrorism must be considered exclusively on the basis of verified facts, transparent procedures, and full intergovernmental cooperation. On the contrary, Ukraine consistently advocates for strengthening security, trust, and cooperation with India as an influential and friendly state. Instead, it is Russia, as an aggressor state, that is attempting under any circumstances to drive a wedge between the friendly nations of Ukraine and India,” the Ukrainian Embassy in India stated.
The detention of seven foreigners, including six Ukrainians, took place on March 13.
According to the National Investigation Agency of India, a case was opened against the detainees under Section 18 of the Prevention of Illegal Activities Act, which pertains to the preparation of terrorist attacks, as well as under other related sections.
After their arrest, the suspects were taken to Delhi and brought before a court. They were initially remanded in custody for three days, and the court later extended their detention until March 27 for an additional 11 days. The judge noted that continued detention is necessary to gather evidence, identify all participants in the conspiracy, and analyze the suspects’ mobile data.
Three Ukrainians were detained at the Lucknow airport, and the other three in Delhi. An American citizen was detained at the Kolkata airport. All suspects entered India legally but traveled to the state of Mizoram without the required permit to visit restricted areas.
From Mizoram, they crossed the border into Myanmar, where they likely established contacts with ethnic armed groups hostile to India. The investigation also established that the suspects may have organized the shipment of large batches of drones from Europe to Myanmar via Indian territory, which were intended for use by banned insurgent organizations.
As a reminder, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) detained six Ukrainians and one U.S. citizen who, according to the investigation, illegally crossed the border from India into Myanmar to train rebel groups fighting against the Myanmar government.
During the court hearing on March 16, Ukrainian embassy staff were not allowed to speak with the detainees, and their detention was extended until March 27.
The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of India expressed serious concern over the circumstances of the case against the six Ukrainian citizens, pointing to signs of a premeditated operation.
