Montenegrin authorities arrest Rybar founder Mikhail Zvinchuk

On October 9, 2026, authorities in Montenegro arrested Mikhail Zvinchuk, the founder of the influential Russian military Telegram channel 'Rybar', along with his wife Valeria and three other Russian nationals. The arrests took place at a luxury hotel in the coastal town of Risan. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic confirmed the operation on the social media platform X, citing concerns regarding efforts to destabilize the country and conduct hybrid warfare.

Local reports, including information from the newspaper Pobjeda, stated that the group was detained on suspicion of spreading Russian influence. In response, the Rybar channel published a statement asserting that the individuals were in the country legally for the purpose of filming at a local monastery. The group claimed no laws were broken and that they are currently coordinating with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure their release. While the Rybar team expects a swift resolution, the Montenegrin government remains vigilant following warnings about foreign interference. The investigation into the detainees' activities is ongoing as the Russian diplomatic mission works to resolve the situation.