Who Is Matthew VanDyke, US National Held By NIA Over Drone Warfare Training

Last Updated:March 18, 2026, 13:04 IST

Matthew Aaron VanDyke, a US national, is under investigation in India for alleged drone warfare training and illegal activities. He was arrested alongside six Ukrainians.

A US national, Matthew Aaron VanDyke, has emerged as a key figure in a major investigation by Indian security agencies into alleged drone warfare training and illegal cross-border activities linked to insurgent networks near India’s Northeast.

All About Matthew Aaron VanDyke

VanDyke, who describes himself as a security analyst, war correspondent, and documentary filmmaker, first gained global attention during the 2011 Libyan Civil War after joining rebel forces and being imprisoned. He later founded Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), a group known for offering military training and strategic guidance to armed factions in conflict zones.

He was arrested in Kolkata by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Besides him, six Ukrainian nationals were also arrested. Three of the Ukrainians were detained in Lucknow and three in Delhi. All seven were produced before the Patiala House Court, which granted 11 days of NIA custody for further investigation.

NIA Probes Illegal Border Crossing

According to officials, a total of 14 Ukrainian nationals had entered India on tourist visas over time. They allegedly travelled to Guwahati and then to Mizoram without proper documentation before crossing illegally into Myanmar. Investigators believe the group was involved in pre-arranged drone warfare training for ethnic armed groups operating in Myanmar.

Authorities are also probing the alleged routing of drone consignments from Europe into Myanmar via India. Some of the armed groups in Myanmar are suspected to have links with organisations banned in India, raising serious national security concerns.

The NIA is examining seized mobile phones and tracing possible local connections within India. The accused are expected to be taken to multiple locations as part of the ongoing probe.

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