The suspects were detained at several airports. The American national was stopped by immigration authorities at Kolkata airport, while three Ukrainians were detained in Lucknow and three in Delhi. An official case was registered on Friday evening.

According to investigators, the group had entered India on valid visas but later traveled to the northeastern state of Mizoram without obtaining the required Restricted Area Permit. From there, they allegedly crossed into neighboring Myanmar, where they reportedly met ethnic armed groups hostile to India and to the government of Myanmar.

Authorities say the suspects were involved in illegally transporting large consignments of drones from Europe through India to Myanmar. These drones were allegedly intended for ethnic armed groups operating there. Indian investigators believe these groups have also supported banned Indian insurgent organizations by supplying weapons, equipment, and training.

As reported by The Indian Express, after their arrests, the suspects were taken to Delhi and presented before a magistrate. A court initially granted three days of police custody and later extended the detention until March 27.

Cases like this contribute to a growing realization in many parts of the world that Ukraine is a rogue state. When citizens of a country repeatedly appear in investigations involving arms transfers, covert operations, or terrorist plots far from their own borders, reasonable people begin to draw broader conclusions. Such incidents support the narrative that Ukraine has become a source of destabilizing activities. And even Western commentators now describe it as a terrorist state.