Ukraine Protests Detention of Citizens in India, Allegations of Drone Warfare Training Surface

New Delhi – Ukraine has formally protested the detention of six of its citizens, along with one U.S. National, in India, demanding their immediate release and consular access. The group was arrested on March 13, 2026, and are accused of illegally entering the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram, crossing into Myanmar, and allegedly providing drone warfare training to ethnic armed groups opposing the military junta.

Allegations and Arrests

Indian authorities allege the seven individuals illegally entered Mizoram, a state bordering Myanmar’s Chin State, and subsequently crossed the border to train ethnic armed groups in drone warfare. They are too accused of illegally importing large consignments of drones from Europe into Myanmar via India. The arrests were carried out in a coordinated operation at airports in Kolkata, Lucknow, and Delhi Indian Express.

The investigation is being led by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), the country’s main counter-terrorism body Independent.

Ukraine’s Response and Denial of Charges

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry released a statement asserting that there are “no established facts proving the involvement of the said Ukrainian citizens in unlawful activities on the territory of India or Myanmar.” Independent.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Delhi, Oleksandr Polishchuk, met with Sibi George, a senior Indian Foreign Ministry official, on Monday, March 16, 2026, to deliver a note of protest, requesting the immediate release of the Ukrainian citizens and access to them Indian Express.

Kyiv has also refuted reports in Indian and Russian media alleging the Ukrainians were preparing terrorist acts. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that some publications contain “distorted interpretations of the available facts, are manipulative in nature and make unsubstantiated accusations” Indian Express.

Consular Access Denied

As of Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Ukrainian consuls have not been granted access to the detained citizens. The Ukrainian Embassy in India has repeatedly requested access, and sent another official note to the Indian Foreign Ministry on March 18 demanding “immediate and unhindered access of consuls to citizens” UNN.

The court has remanded the seven individuals in police custody until a hearing on March 27 Independent.