Montenegro detains Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk over alleged influence operations
Montenegrin police arrested Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the Rybar Telegram channel, along with his wife and three other Russians in the coastal town of Risan. Officials said the detention followed warnings about attempts to destabilize Montenegro through hybrid warfare and Russian influence. Zvinchuk's blog, which has over 1.5 million subscribers, is known for covering the war in Ukraine and promoting pro-Kremlin narratives.
Zvinchuk, a former Russian defence ministry press officer, launched Rybar in 2018. The Telegram channel now has over 1.5 million followers and is known for pro-Kremlin coverage of Ukraine, as well as narratives in Africa and the Middle East. He was detained in Risan with his wife and three other Russians; authorities reportedly seized phones and passports and took them to Podgorica.
Western governments have previously targeted him. Britain sanctioned him and Rybar in December 2025, citing Kremlin propaganda and alleged links to Russian intelligence and funding from Rostec. Washington accused him of trying to interfere in the 2024 US election and offered up to $10m for information. Before arrest, he said he had entered Montenegro despite sanctions and an entry ban.
Count: First para: Zvinchuk(1), a2, former3, Russian4, defence5, ministry6, press7, officer8, launched9, Rybar10, in11, 2018.12 The13 Telegram14 channel15 now16 has17 over18 1.5? 19? million20 followers21 and22 is23 known24 for25 pro-Kremlin26 coverage27 of28 Ukraine,29 as30 well31 as32 narratives33 in34 Africa35 and36 the37 Middle38 East.39 He40 was41 detained42 in43 Risan44 with45 his46 wife47 and48 three49 other50 Russians;51 authorities52 reportedly53 seized54 phones55 and56 passports57 and58 took59 them60 to61 Podgorica.62. Second: Western1 governments2 have3 previously4 targeted5 him.6 Britain7 sanctioned8 him9 and10 Rybar11 in12 December13 2025,14 citing15 Kremlin16 propaganda17 and18 alleged19 links20 to21