Montenegrin officials allege the team planned a documentary to portray the nation's EU visa alignment as a threat to the local economy. Zvinchuk, a former Russian defense ministry officer, is subject to a $10M reward from the US for alleged election interference and faces sanctions from the UK and EU. In response to the arrest, Dmitry Medvedev warned that Russians in Europe are being "hunted down" and suggested capturing Western nationals for prisoner swaps. The Rybar network, which has 1.5M subscribers, maintains the group entered the country legally.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Montenegro Releases Rybar Founder Zvinchuk to Facilitate Deportation of 5 Russians
Geopolitics11 days ago
The custody of Mikhail Zvinchuk and several associates in the town of Risan ended on Oct. 9, with the group now preparing to exit Montenegro. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS that Zvinchuk, the founder of the pro-Kremlin Rybar Telegram network, was released along with his wife and three staff members following a dawn raid by police and the National Security Agency (ANB). Authorities at the Mövenpick Hotel in the Bay of Kotor seized drones and digital equipment, and the interior ministry subsequently ordered the deportation of all five Russians on national security grounds.
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