NewsGate Press Network

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has formally received a request for consular access to six arrested Ukrainians by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The Ukrainians have been arrested along with an American mercenary for  allegedly supporting insurgency in the North East by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training to anti-national groups.

On Thursday the 19th of March 2026, Randhir Jaiswal, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India has received a request for consular access from Kyiv.

The arrested mercenaries were allegedly in touch with anti-national groups in Manipur and Mizoram. They were also believed to be actively imparting weapon training for a possible armed rebellion against India in the North East.

Randhir Jaiswal, who was addressing his weekly presser stated that since  relevant government agencies are handling the matter in line with domestic laws and international obligations, all legal processes are being followed carefully.

“We are aware of the case. This is a legal matter, and the relevant Government of India (GoI) agencies are currently investigating it. We have received a request for consular access, and this will be addressed in accordance with the legal requirements of the case,” the MEA spokesperson added.

The arrested have been identified by NIA as one US citizen Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and six Ukrainians as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi , Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor.

Special NIA judge Prashant Sharma remanded all seven to 11-day NIA custody on Monday.

Earlier on Thursday the Embassy of Ukraine in India expressed serious concern over the detention of six Ukrainian citizens.

In a press release, the embassy noted media reports indicating that the initiation of the proceedings may have been prompted by information provided by the Russian side, and called for an objective and transparent investigation.

“Ukraine firmly rejects any insinuations regarding the possible involvement of the Ukrainian State in supporting terrorist activities. Ukraine faces the consequences of Russian terror daily and takes a principled and uncompromising stance in combating terrorism in all its forms,” the statement read.

The embassy emphasised that allegations related to terrorism must be assessed only based on verified facts, transparent procedures, and full intergovernmental cooperation and expressed readiness for active collaboration between the competent authorities of Ukraine and India, referencing the existing bilateral Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.