Montenegro arrested Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the popular Russian war blog Rybar, on Friday, accusing him of spreading Russian influence and attempting to destabilize the country. The arrest followed warnings of hybrid warfare and attempts to undermine Montenegro's European future. Zvinchuk's team stated he was in the country legally and expected his release.
The arrest of a prominent Russian war blogger in Montenegro highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war and concerns over foreign influence operations. It underscores Montenegro's alignment with Western sanctions against Russia and its efforts to counter perceived destabilization attempts.
Mikhail Zvinchuk, the founder of the influential Russian war blog Rybar, was arrested in Montenegro on Friday, according to Reuters. The detention occurred following warnings of attempts to destabilize the country and engage in hybrid warfare.
Zvinchuk, his wife, and three other Russians were detained by police and security agents in Risan on charges of spreading "Russian influence," the Pobjeda newspaper reported, citing sources. Rybar, one of the most popular blogs covering Russia's war in Ukraine with over 1.5 million subscribers, stated that Zvinchuk and the others were in Montenegro legally and planned to film at a monastery. The blog's team is in contact with Russia's Foreign Ministry and expects the detainees to be released, asserting no local legislation was violated.
Montenegro's Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic, confirmed the detention on X, stating that the operation followed warnings of destabilization attempts and hybrid warfare. He emphasized that Montenegro is protecting its interests and will not allow its European future to be jeopardized.
Montenegro has a history of strained relations with Moscow. In 2016, authorities accused Russia of plotting a coup, a charge denied by the Kremlin. Ties further deteriorated when Montenegro joined NATO in 2017. In 2022, the country, an EU candidate, imposed sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, banned Russian state media, and expelled Russian diplomats for spying.
In October 2024, the US State Department offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of individuals managing Rybar-led social media channels, alleging they promoted Russia's political interests in the US ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.
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