Arrested by the NIA along with six Ukrainian nationals over alleged training activities in Myanmar, VanDyke has challenged claims of US government intervention in his release and vowed to return to India for his next court hearing in February.
BY PC Bureau
November 10: American mercenary Matthew VanDyke has claimed that his arrest and detention in India, along with six Ukrainian nationals, for more than six months was linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Released on default bail in September, he has announced plans to disclose what he calls “shocking details” of the case through social media posts and media interviews over the coming months.
VanDyke, whom the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has accused of providing weapons and drone-warfare training to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, made the claims in a post on X on Monday night.
“India threw me and several Ukrainians in prison for over six months. This was part of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” he wrote.
“I will reveal shocking details about this story over the next few months in both posts and media interviews,” he added.
The post comes weeks after VanDyke returned to India from the United States to attend a court hearing. On October 23, the Rouse Avenue court allowed him and the six Ukrainian nationals to remain outside India until their next appearance, scheduled for February 24, 2027.
VanDyke was released from Tihar Jail on September 24 after being granted default bail.
The NIA arrested VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals on March 13, accusing them of travelling to Myanmar to train ethnic armed groups.
VanDyke was detained at Kolkata airport, while the other six were arrested at airports in Delhi and Lucknow.
According to the agency, the group travelled to Mizoram without the required permits and then crossed into Myanmar, where they allegedly provided training in weapons handling and drone warfare.
The NIA also told the court that it was investigating allegations linking the group to a drone attack on a civilian aircraft in Myanmar. The agency did not publicly identify the specific incident under investigation.
READ: NIA Takes Over Another Kuki-Zo Killing Case: But Where Is the Justice?
On September 18, the Rouse Avenue court granted VanDyke default bail against a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety of the same amount.
The court granted relief after the NIA failed to file a chargesheet within the statutory period under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
After his release, the court initially directed VanDyke to remain in Delhi and appear before the NIA whenever summoned for questioning. He later approached the court seeking permission to travel to the United States to meet his family.
The court subsequently allowed him to travel abroad. At the October 23 hearing, it permitted VanDyke and the six Ukrainians to remain outside India until their next court appearance on February 24, 2027.
India threw me and several Ukrainians in prison for over six months.
This was part of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
I will reveal shocking details about this story over the next few months in both posts and media interviews.
— Matthew VanDyke (@Matt_VanDyke) November 9, 2026
VANDYKE REJECTS CLAIMS OF US INTERVENTION, SAYS HE WILL RETURN
VanDyke also addressed a series of questions raised by users on X, rejecting the suggestion that diplomatic pressure from Washington had played a role in his release. Asked about claims that the US government had stepped in to secure his freedom, he challenged the user to explain the basis for that assertion.
He dismissed a separate allegation that he had smuggled weapons into India, maintaining that no such charge had been levelled against him by the Indian authorities.
Clarifying the circumstances of his departure, VanDyke said the decision to seek permission to travel abroad had been taken by his legal team, not by him personally.
He was also questioned about whether he intended to return to India, with one user warning that failure to do so could leave him classified as a fugitive. VanDyke cited his appearance before the court on October 23 as evidence of his compliance with the proceedings and said he would be back for the next hearing in February.
