Montenegro Detains Founder of Influential Pro-War Russian Channel Rybar
Montenegrin authorities have detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the Russian Telegram channel Rybar, whom the United States is seeking over alleged election interference. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić confirmed the arrest.
Authorities in Montenegro confirmed on Friday, 9 October, that they have detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the influential pro-war Russian Telegram channel Rybar and a former press officer at Russia's Defense Ministry. The operation targeted suspected Russian influence activity in the Balkan country, which is working toward European Union membership. Zvinchuk is under Western sanctions.
What is known about the operation
Montenegro's police and its National Security Agency (ANB) acted against "hybrid activities" by Russian information networks, security sources told the outlet Vijesti. According to that report, Zvinchuk's wife Valeria Zvinchuk, Rybar's creative director, was also detained along with three associates.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, whose government wants Montenegro to join the EU by 2028, confirmed the detention. He wrote on X that Montenegro is protecting its interests and that no one will endanger its European future.
Unconfirmed reports
The Russian outlet Readovka reported that intelligence services monitored the group for several days after it arrived in the country. The group had reportedly come to film material about Montenegro's alignment with EU visa policy. Authorities allegedly suspected the material was meant to damage the country's tourism industry, economy and national interests.
The Russian Telegram channel Baza, whose reporting is unconfirmed, claimed Zvinchuk was detained at 7:30 a.m. local time at the Mövenpick Hotel in Risan. The group was reportedly taken to Podgorica for questioning, and their phones and passports were confiscated.
Reactions
Rybar said its team was in Montenegro legally to film a local monastery and expects a prompt release. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Russian Embassy in Podgorica was working to establish the circumstances of the detention.
The U.S. State Department is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Zvinchuk and other Rybar staff, over their alleged involvement in election interference and malign influence operations. Rybar has about 1.5 million Telegram subscribers and publishes daily military analysis of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
