Russia-Ukraine Tensions Spill Into India? ‘Disinformation’ Row Explained

A sharp diplomatic exchange has unfolded in New Delhi, with the Ukrainian Embassy accusing Russia of orchestrating a disinformation campaign on Indian soil. The allegation centres on claims about detained Ukrainian citizens, claims Kyiv says are fabricated and politically motivated.

What triggered Ukraine’s accusation against Russia in India?

The Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi has accused Russia of attempting to manipulate narratives and interfere in India’s internal processes by circulating what it calls fabricated claims about the detention of Ukrainian citizens.

In an official statement, the embassy directly criticised remarks attributed to the Russian Foreign Ministry, describing them as part of a broader disinformation effort.

“Recently, Russia's Ministry of Propaganda, which also masquerades as its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a comment by its so-called “official representative” regarding the detention of Ukrainian citizens in India,” the embassy said.

Are the allegations against Ukrainian citizens fabricated?

According to the Ukrainian side, the claims of Ukrainian “terrorists” operating in India are entirely baseless and manufactured.

“According to Indian media reports, it was Kremlin-linked provocateurs who passed to the competent authorities of India fabricated 'information,' concocted within FSB structures, about supposed Ukrainian 'terrorists'. 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,” it said.

Is Russia trying to influence India’s internal affairs?

Ukraine has gone further, accusing Moscow of attempting to draw India into its geopolitical agenda.

“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. Such an approach is not merely mistaken - it is outright insulting to a nation with a millennia-old civilizational tradition, a strong democratic system, and independent institutions,” the statement said.

Calling India a sovereign democracy, the embassy added that such assumptions reflect “a profound disregard for India's sovereignty.”

“It reflects a profound disregard for India's sovereignty and a failure to understand that its system of justice neither can nor will operate on the basis of external political instructions,” the statement said.

What comparisons were made with Russian judicial systems?

In a pointed remark, the Ukrainian embassy drew comparisons between India’s judiciary and Russian courts, criticising the latter.

“India is a sovereign democratic state, and a court in New Delhi is not a branch of Moscow's Khamovnichesky or Lefortovsky district courts, widely known for politically motivated verdicts, grave human rights abuses, and contempt for international law,” the statement said.

How does Ukraine link this to international legal actions against Russia?

The embassy also invoked global legal action against Russia’s leadership, referencing the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Vladimir Putin in March 2023.

“We also wish to recall that the leader of present-day Russia is a dictator whom international justice has found to be implicated in war crimes. On 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin, having found sufficient grounds to hold him individually criminally responsible for war crimes, in particular the unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of population, especially children, from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia,” the statement said.

What role do private military networks and global conflicts play in the allegations?

Ukraine accused Russia of exporting instability through private military networks such as the Wagner Group, citing sanctions imposed by the European Union.

“Systematic interference in the internal affairs of other states, manipulation, disinformation, and open contempt for the UN Charter are hallmarks of contemporary Russian foreign policy. Russia continues to export sabotage and terrorism through networks of private military and security structures operating in dozens of countries around the world. This is an internationally recognised fact,” the statement said.

It added, “Back in 2021, the European Union imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group for grave human rights abuses and the destabilisation of entire regions, from Ukraine to Africa. After Russia's full-scale invasion, these measures were substantially broadened to target not only Wagner fighters and commanders, but also the economic networks sustaining their operations, including those linked to the illicit extraction of natural resources.”

Why did Ukraine bring up Myanmar in this context?

The embassy also pointed to Russia’s defence cooperation with Myanmar, suggesting it contributes to regional instability.

“As regards Myanmar, the international community has repeatedly delivered a clear political assessment of developments in the country. The UN General Assembly Resolution 75/287 of June 2021 condemned the military coup and called upon all Member States to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2669 of December 2022 explicitly demands an immediate end to all forms of violence against civilians,” the statement said.

“Against this background, particular attention should be paid to Russia's role as one of the key suppliers of arms to Myanmar's military structures, which objectively affects the level of tension and the broader security situation in the region. In February 2026, the parties signed a military cooperation programme for 2026-2030. Within this framework, the regime in Myanmar received six Su-30SME fighter aircraft in March this year, while Mi-38T helicopters had already been supplied earlier. In addition, Moscow provides training for Myanmar military personnel,” the statement added.

What do Indian authorities say about the allegations?

The Ukrainian embassy highlighted statements from Indian law enforcement that appear to contradict the allegations.

It cited remarks by Stephen Lalrinawma, Superintendent of Police, CID (Special Branch), Mizoram Police, who reportedly stated that no suspects had been intercepted.

“Despite Russia's attempts to manipulate the situation and use India in its game against Ukraine, the official statements of Indian law-enforcement authorities are particularly telling. On 18 March 2026, Stephen Lalrinawma, Superintendent of Police, CID (Special Branch), Mizoram Police, stated that even under enhanced border surveillance, no suspects had been intercepted. He further noted that no terror-related activity had been detected and that there had been no report of any terror link or untoward activity affecting Mizoram so far,” the statement said.

“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. They also underscore the need for a cautious and measured assessment of the situation based on verified facts, rather than unverified information or disinformation,” the embassy said.

What is Ukraine asking of India now?

Reaffirming its trust in India’s institutions, Ukraine has called for an impartial and transparent 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.

“In this context, we call on the competent Indian authorities not to yield to provocations and to ensure an independent, impartial, and fair consideration of the case. The Ukrainian side reaffirms its full readiness to cooperate and to take part in a transparent investigation aimed at establishing the objective truth,” it added.

(With inputs from ANI)