Montenegrin authorities have detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, the founder of the pro-war Telegram channel Rybar, as part of an operation targeting alleged Russian influence activities.
Key facts
- •Mikhail Zvinchuk and four associates were detained in Risan, Montenegro, on October 9.
- •The operation was conducted by Montenegrin police and the National Security Agency to address alleged hybrid activities.
- •The U.S. has offered a $10 million reward for information on Rybar staff regarding election interference.
- •Rybar is a pro-war Telegram channel with over 1.5 million followers that is subject to U.K. and EU sanctions.
- •Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic stated the action was taken to protect the country's European future.
Montenegrin police and the National Security Agency detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, the founder of the pro-Kremlin blog Rybar, along with his wife and three associates on October 9. The operation in the town of Risan targeted alleged hybrid influence activities. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic confirmed the detention, stating that Montenegro is protecting its national interests and its path toward European Union membership.
By the numbers
Details of the Operation
According to reports from the local newspaper Vijesti, the group was detained on the morning of October 9. While Rybar stated its team was in the country legally to film a monastery, authorities suspected the group was gathering material to undermine Montenegro's economy and tourism industry. Following the detention, the group was reportedly taken to Podgorica for questioning, with their passports and phones confiscated.
International Context and Response
The U.S. State Department has previously offered a reward of up to $10 million for information regarding Zvinchuk and other Rybar staff, citing their alleged involvement in election interference. Rybar, which has over 1.5 million Telegram followers, is also subject to U.K. and EU sanctions. In response to the arrests, the Russian Embassy in Podgorica has requested clarification on the reasons for the detention, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that diplomats are working to protect the rights of the Russian citizens involved. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, suggested that Russia might need to increase its prisoner exchange pool with Western citizens in response to the incident.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Moscow Times, Kyiv Independent.
