Archive · 8 Sep 2026
India Plans Parallel Immigration Charges Against VanDyke, Ukrainians
A report says Mathew VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals may face a new immigration case in India.
The case concerns allegedly entering the country without the required travel documents.
They are also being investigated under India’s anti-terror law, known as the UAPA.
Authorities say the two cases will happen at the same time.
The group was arrested in March after allegedly travelling to Mizoram and then crossing into Myanmar.
The NIA says they trained rebel groups in drone warfare and other drone activities.
It also alleges that they had connections with armed groups linked to Indian insurgents.
Government sources say the new immigration case does not weaken the separate UAPA investigation.
American national Mathew VanDyke and six Ukrainians reportedly face charges under Sections 20 and 21 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
The provisions concern entering India without a valid passport or other travel document.
The immigration case is expected to proceed alongside the National Investigation Agency’s UAPA investigation.
The group was arrested in March after allegedly travelling to Mizoram without permits and crossing into Myanmar.
The NIA alleges they trained Myanmar rebel forces in drone operations and had links to Indian insurgent groups.
- Who
- American national Mathew VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals: Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor.
- What
- They are reportedly set to face charges under Sections 20 and 21 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, while remaining under investigation under the UAPA.
- When
- They were arrested in March; the immigration case is reportedly nearing prosecution, while the UAPA case remains under investigation.
- Where
- They were arrested at various airports in India after allegedly travelling to Mizoram and crossing into Myanmar.
- Why
- Authorities allege that they entered or travelled through India without required authorization and supported armed groups in Myanmar, including through drone-related training.
Authorities’ allegations
Procedural position reported by officials
Nature of alleged activity
Authorities’ allegations
The NIA alleges that VanDyke and the others trained Myanmar rebel forces in drone warfare, drone operations, assembly, and jamming, and had links to armed groups supporting Indian insurgents.
Procedural position reported by officials
The article does not report a detailed defense from VanDyke or the six Ukrainians; the allegations remain part of the NIA investigation and court proceedings.
Effect of the immigration case
Authorities’ allegations
The immigration charges address alleged entry or travel without valid documents and authorization.
Procedural position reported by officials
Government sources say pursuing the immigration case separately and in parallel does not mean the UAPA investigation is being diluted.
- Reported defendants
- Mathew VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals
- Immigration law
- Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025
- Provisions cited
- Sections 20 and 21
- Separate investigation
- National Investigation Agency probe under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
- Arrest timing
- March
- Reported route
- Guwahati, Assam, to Mizoram, then into Myanmar
- Case status
- Immigration case nearing prosecution; UAPA case at the investigation stage