Editor’s note: The story has been updated with the latest details.
Montenegrin authorities arrested Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the pro-Kremlin war blog Rybar, as reported by local media and confirmed by the Montenegrin government on October 9.
Zvinchuk, his wife Valeria Zvinchuk and three other associates were arrested during an operation by Montenegrin police and security services on the morning of October 9 in the town of Risan, Vijesti newspaper reported, citing its sources.
Rybar is one of Russia’s most popular pro-war blogs with over 1.5 million followers on the Telegram app, focusing on covering battlefield developments in Ukraine while promoting pro-Russian war propaganda.
The channel’s staff have been subject to British and European sanctions, and the United States has announced a $10 million reward in 2024 for information on Rybar’s activities.
Zvinchuk was arrested as part of a crackdown on Rybar’s hybrid activities, which British and American authorities link to Russian propaganda and influence operations, according to Vijesti.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic confirmed Zvinchuk’s detention, without disclosing further details of the operation.
“Montenegro protects its interests and no one will jeopardize our European future,” Spajic said on X.
Montenegro, a small country in the Western Balkans, joined NATO in 2017 and is currently in negotiations to join the EU.
The Russian Embassy has asked authorities in Montenegro to clarify the reasons for the detention of Zvinchuk and other Russian citizens, Russia’s official TASS news agency reported.
Separately, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian diplomats would work to protect Zvinchuk’s rights.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council and former president known for his incendiary rhetoric, issued threats against the West following the propagandist’s detention.
“Now we will probably have to replenish our reserve of trade with European and American fools to bring out our own people,” Medvedev said on his Telegram channel.
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