Ukraine Accuses Russia of Disinformation Operation in India Over Detention Claims
The Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi has leveled serious accusations against Russia, alleging a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating information and interfering in India's internal processes. In an official statement issued on Thursday, the embassy criticized remarks by the Russian foreign ministry, describing them as part of a broader effort to spread fabricated claims regarding the detention of Ukrainian citizens in India.
Allegations of Fabricated Information and Kremlin-Linked Provocateurs
According to the embassy, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which it referred to as a "Ministry of Propaganda," issued comments through its so-called "official representative" about the supposed detention of Ukrainian individuals. The statement asserted that this information was entirely concocted within structures of the FSB, Russia's security service, and then passed to Indian authorities by Kremlin-linked provocateurs.
"This bears all the hallmarks of a deliberate disinformation operation typical of the Russian special services, which systematically use fabrications as a tool of foreign policy and seek to draw India into a political script not of its own making," the embassy declared. It emphasized that such actions reflect a pattern of Russian foreign policy characterized by manipulation and contempt for international norms.
Accusations of Geopolitical Interference and Sovereignty Violations
The embassy further accused Moscow of attempting to draw India into its geopolitical agenda, operating under the false assumption that it can interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states. "It appears that Moscow still operates under the false assumption that it can interfere in the internal affairs of other states and use India as an instrument for advancing its own geopolitical interests," the statement read.
It added that this approach is not only mistaken but outright insulting to India, a nation with a millennia-old civilizational tradition, a strong democratic system, and independent institutions. The embassy stressed that such assumptions demonstrate a profound disregard for India's sovereignty and a failure to understand that its justice system operates independently of external political instructions.
References to International Legal Actions and Russian Courts
In a pointed comparison, the Ukrainian statement noted that a court in New Delhi is not a branch of Moscow's Khamovnichesky or Lefortovsky district courts, which it alleged are known for politically motivated verdicts, human rights abuses, and contempt for international law. The embassy also referenced legal actions taken against the Russian leadership by international institutions.
Specifically, it highlighted that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2023 over alleged war crimes, including the unlawful deportation of civilians from Ukrainian territories. "The leader of present-day Russia is a dictator whom international justice has found to be implicated in war crimes," the statement asserted.
Allegations of Russian Destabilization Activities and Arms Supply
The embassy broadened its accusations to include Russia's use of private military networks abroad, citing sanctions imposed by the European Union against the Wagner Group for human rights abuses and destabilization activities in regions like Ukraine and Africa. It stated that Russia continues to export sabotage and terrorism through such networks, operating in dozens of countries worldwide.
Additionally, the statement pointed to Russia's defense cooperation with Myanmar, noting that Moscow has supplied military equipment, including Su-30SME fighter jets and Mi-38T helicopters, under a cooperation program for 2026-30. This, the embassy argued, affects regional security and contradicts UN resolutions calling for an end to arms flows into Myanmar.
Indian Law Enforcement Statements and Call for Impartial Investigation
Contrasting Russia's claims, the Ukrainian embassy highlighted remarks by Indian police officials suggesting that allegations regarding Ukrainian suspects had not been substantiated. It cited a statement from Stephen Lalrinawma, Superintendent of Police in Mizoram, who reported on March 18, 2026, that despite enhanced border surveillance, no suspects had been intercepted and no terror-related activity detected in the state.
"These statements are important because they do not substantiate the allegations being circulated and point to the absence, at this stage, of any established evidence to support them," the embassy noted. It called for a cautious and measured assessment based on verified facts rather than unverified information or disinformation.
Reaffirmation of Confidence in India's Legal System
Reaffirming its position, Ukraine expressed confidence in India's legal system and called for an impartial investigation. "Ukraine has confidence in India's system of investigation and justice, which is currently facing unprecedented informational and political pressure from Russian special services and propaganda," the statement said.
It urged Indian authorities not to yield to provocations and to ensure an independent, fair consideration of the case. The Ukrainian side reaffirmed its full readiness to cooperate in a transparent investigation aimed at establishing the objective truth, emphasizing the importance of upholding sovereignty and democratic principles in the face of external manipulation.
