Montenegro Arrests Head of Russian Propaganda Project Rybar
Montenegrin authorities arrested and expelled Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Rybar, alongside four other Russian nationals including his wife Valeria. Police detained the group in the town of Risan during a coordinated operation involving the National Security Agency and international partners. Authorities seized drones, sophisticated digital equipment, and electronic devices. Officials accused the group of malicious political meddling and hybrid warfare activities aimed at destabilizing the Balkan country. Zvinchuk subsequently returned to Russia after his expulsion.
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- ✓ Montenegrin authorities detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Rybar, along with his wife Valeria and three associates.
- ✓ The arrests took place in the town of Risan during a coordinated operation by the Police Department and the National Security Agency.
- ✓ Authorities confiscated drones, sophisticated digital equipment, and electronic devices from the detainees.
- ✓ Montenegro expelled Zvinchuk and three other Russian nationals following the operation.
What changed
Montenegrin authorities detained and subsequently expelled Mikhail Zvinchuk and four associates over alleged hybrid warfare and destabilization plots.
Live updates
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Montenegro Expels Founder of Russian Pro-War Blog Rybar
Montenegrin authorities arrested and expelled Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Rybar, alongside four other Russian nationals including his wife Valeria. Police detained the group in the town of Risan during a coordinated operation involving the National Security Agency and international partners. Authorities seized drones, sophisticated digital equipment, and electronic devices. Officials accused the group of malicious political meddling and hybrid warfare activities aimed at destabilizing the Balkan country. Zvinchuk subsequently returned to Russia after his expulsion.
Why it matters
Founded in 2018, Rybar operates as a prominent Russian digital propaganda and geopolitical analysis network with more than 1.3 million followers on Telegram. The arrests in the NATO-member state highlight growing international security concerns regarding Russian influence operations and hybrid warfare tactics in the Balkans. Telegram channel administrators insisted the detained individuals were in Montenegro legally.
What is confirmed
- Montenegrin authorities detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Rybar, along with his wife Valeria and three associates.
- The arrests took place in the town of Risan during a coordinated operation by the Police Department and the National Security Agency.
- Authorities confiscated drones, sophisticated digital equipment, and electronic devices from the detainees.
- Montenegro expelled Zvinchuk and three other Russian nationals following the operation.
- Zvinchuk returned to Russia after being expelled from Montenegro.
Still unconfirmed
- Rybar administrators insisted that all detained individuals were in Montenegro legally.
What to watch next
- Any official statements from Russian authorities regarding the expulsion of Zvinchuk
- Further security measures or announcements from Montenegrin authorities concerning the Rybar network
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (19)
- CNN — Russian pro-Kremlin war blogger and founder of ‘Rybar’ Telegram channel detained in Montenegro
- AP News — Russian pro-war blogger among 5 arrested in Montenegro over alleged destabilization plot
- The Moscow Times — Montenegro Arrests Founder of Influential Russian Pro-War Blog Rybar
- The Guardian — Pro-Kremlin Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk arrested in Montenegro
- Мілітарний — Montenegro Arrests Head of Russian Propaganda Project Rybar
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — Montenegro To Expel Head Of Russian Pro-War Blog Rybar
- Українська правда — Montenegro to deport Rybar propaganda network founder and four other Russians
- euobserver.com — Nato state Montenegro detains top Russian war-blogger Rybar, on suspicion of plotting hybrid tricks (Ukra....
- kyivindependent.com — Montenegro to expel founder of Russian war blog Rybar, citing security reasons
- www.theguardian.com — Pro-Kremlin Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk arrested in Montenegro | Montenegro
- www.themoscowtimes.com — Montenegro Expels Founder of Russian Pro-War Blog Rybar for ...
- rt-english.com — Russian military blogger expelled from NATO country — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union
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