On October 9, 2026, in the town of Risan, Montenegro, Mikhail Zvinchuk, a well-known Russian propagandist and founder of the Telegram channel "Ribari," was arrested. The arrest took place as a result of a joint operation by the Montenegrin police and the National Security Agency.
Reasons for the Arrest
Zvinchuk was arrested along with his wife Valeria and three other individuals. The operation aimed to halt hybrid activities related to the spread of Kremlin propaganda and foreign information influence, which has raised concerns in Western countries.
International Reaction and Sanctions
According to reports, in 2024, the U.S. State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million for information about Zvinchuk and the "Ribari" project due to their alleged involvement in attempts to interfere in U.S. elections. Additionally, in July 2024, the United Kingdom and the EU imposed sanctions on the leadership and employees of "Ribari."
What is Known About Mikhail Zvinchuk
Mikhail Zvinchuk is a former employee of the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense. His Telegram channel "Ribari" has approximately 1.5 million subscribers and specializes in publishing military analytics and battle maps. Zvinchuk's arrest has attracted significant interest from international media and experts in the field of information security.