New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday (March 16) arrested seven foreigners, including a US national, Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainians for allegedly entering Myanmar through India. A day after the arrest, the US embassy in India said that it was "aware" of the situation., while Ukraine lodged a protest with India. A US Embassy spokesperson said they were aware of the situation. "We are aware of the situation. For privacy reasons, we cannot comment on cases involving US citizens," the spokesperson said. It was alleged that the seven accused entered Myanmar to train ethnic armed groups. However, the Embassy refused to further comment on the issue. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian diplomatic mission reportedly is in constant touch with six individuals. The Ukrainian nationals have been identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor, reported NDTV. All seven individuals are currently facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, UAPA. The Press Service of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its response to the arrests that the country's Ambassador to India Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk held a meeting with the Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Sibi George, during which he handed over "an official note of protest demanding the immediate release of the Ukrainian citizens and access to them". "At present, the competent authorities of India are conducting the relevant investigative actions. As of now, there are no established facts proving the involvement of the said Ukrainian citizens in unlawful activities on the territory of India or Myanmar. At the same time, certain publications, including in some Indian and Russian media outlets, contain distorted interpretations of the available facts, are manipulative in nature, and put forward unfounded allegations," the Ukraine statement said. Also Read: How India Plans to Bring Home 500 Nationals Who Fled Myanmar Scam Centres As per the FIR filed against them, they went to restricted areas in Mizoram. The accused then crossed into Myanmar and were in touch with ethnic armed organisations (EAOs). Notably, some of these groups were banned in India. The statement alleged that the Ukraine Embassy "did not receive" any official notification from the competent authorities of India regarding the detention of Ukrainian citizens. According to the report, all seven accused trained the armed groups and even provided them with weapons. They even helped these armed groups in drone operations. Special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Tyagi alongwith Amit Rohila and others, appeared for the NIA in the court. It was alleged that the seven foreigners came to India on visa and then entered Mizoram, which is a protected area. Thereafter, they entered Myanmar and "contacted ethnic war groups", reported ANI. Also Read: First Official Confirmation of 2025 Covert Indian Army Operation Along Indo-Myanmar Border Mizoram Chief Minister Highlighted Issue Of Foreigners Using The State To Enter Myanmar: Notably, in March 2025, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had opposed the Centre's decision to reimpose the Protected Area Permit (PAP) in the state for egulating movement across the India-Myanmar border, reported NDTV. Lalduhoma had even highlighted that this route could be used by foreigners to enter Myanmar. While speaking in the assembly, the Mizoram chief minister had alleged that 2,000 tourists had entred the state between June and December 2024, and most of them were not just tourists, as they left the state unnoticed.