Montenegro Detains Rybar Founder and Associates

Montenegrin police and the National Security Agency detained Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the Rybar Telegram channel, his wife Valeria Zvinchuk and three associates in Risan on Oct. 9, 2026. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić confirmed the detention on X, writing that Montenegro is protecting its interests, and no one will jeopardize our European future. He also said there are serious indications that require every lead to be carefully examined. Rybar confirmed Zvinchuk was detained with other Russian citizens, said the team was in Montenegro legally to film a monastery, is in contact with Russia's Foreign Ministry, and expects release since there were no violations of local legislation. Maria Zakharova said the Russian Embassy in Podgorica was working to establish the circumstances. Security sources described the operation as targeting suspected Russian hybrid influence activities. The U.S. State Department offered up to $10 million in October 2024 for information on Zvinchuk and Rybar staff and stated Rybar has sought to promote social division, stoke partisan and racial discord, and encourage hate and violence in the United States. Zvinchuk, a former Russian Defense Ministry press officer, and Rybar staff face Western sanctions. Montenegro joined NATO in 2017, targets EU membership by 2028, and enforced sanctions on Russia in 2022; Russia declared it an enemy state. Unconfirmed Readovka and Baza reports on filming aims to undermine tourism and a 7:30 a.m. Mövenpick Hotel detention with phones and passports seized have not been independently confirmed.