On October 9, 2026, Mikhail Zvinchuk, the founder of one of the most well-known Russian military public channels 'Rybar', was detained in Montenegro. The arrest took place in the town of Risan, where, according to reports, Zvinchuk's wife and three other individuals were also detained. The operation was conducted by the police and the National Security Agency of Montenegro as part of the fight against the Kremlin's hybrid aggression.
Reasons for the Detention
According to information, those detained are suspected of interfering with Montenegro's information space. Zvinchuk, who previously served in the GRU special forces, gained notoriety for his activities on the 'Rybar' channel, which actively disseminates Russian propaganda. In 2024, the United States announced a reward of up to $10 million for information about participants in the 'Rybar' project, accusing them of attempting to interfere in the US elections.
International Reaction and Sanctions
Since the announcement of the reward, sanctions have been imposed against Zvinchuk by the United Kingdom and the European Union. These sanctions concern the leadership and employees of the 'Rybar' channel, highlighting international concern over the activities of Russian propaganda media. Zvinchuk's detention marks an important step in the fight against disinformation and hybrid threats that jeopardize the stability of the region.