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Montenegro expels Russian Rybar network founder Mikhail Zvinchuk
Montenegrin authorities, including the police and the National Security Agency (ANB), have expelled Mikhail Zvinchuk and four other Russian citizens from the country. Zvinchuk, the founder of the Russian military Telegram network Rybar and a GRU colonel, was detained in Risan along with his wife, Valerija, and three associates.
The operation was conducted following intelligence monitoring of the group's activities. Authorities seized sophisticated digital equipment, including drones, high-resolution cameras, and mobile devices. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić described the action as a success aimed at protecting Montenegro’s national security and its European future against hybrid threats.
Zvinchuk, who is subject to sanctions by the European Union and the United Kingdom, claimed the group entered Montenegro legally from Bosnia and Herzegovina to film a documentary series regarding religious structures and Russian-Balkan relations. Following their expulsion, the group traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, where they announced plans to seek legal counsel.
Entities
Agency for National Security · European Union · Mihail Zvinčuk · Mikhail Zvinchuk · Milojko Spajić · Montenegro · Russian Embassy in Podgorica · Russian Federation · Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Rybar · Serbia · Valeria Zvinchuk
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [DISPUTED] Mikhail Zvinchuk and three other Russians were arrested in Risan, Montenegro. srnnews.com · www.n-tv.de · www.pravda.sk · hip.ba · lat.sputnikportal.rs · +14 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] A $10 million reward was offered for information regarding Mikhail Zvinchuk's location due to alleged election interference. www.pravda.sk · hip.ba · hnonline.sk · www.kurir.rs · trn.mk · +1 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] The arrest was linked to suspected hybrid warfare and attempts to destabilize Montenegro. srnnews.com · www.n-tv.de · www.balkanweb.com · trn.mk · www.pravda.sk · +9 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The detainees were in Montenegro legally and intended to film at a monastery. srnnews.com · www.n-tv.de · www.balkanweb.com · trn.mk · www.pravda.sk · +6 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The hunt for all Russians has potentially been opened. www.n-tv.de
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Russian embassy in Podgorica is seeking clarification regarding the arrests. lat.sputnikportal.rs · srnnews.com · www.n-tv.de · www.deia.eus · www.ziarulnational.md · +1 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] Mikhail Zvinchuk is subject to sanctions by the European Union and the United Kingdom. www.pravda.sk · hip.ba · hnonline.sk · novski.me · www.kurir.rs · +9 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Police seized drones and electronic equipment during the operation. www.pravda.sk · hnonline.sk · novski.me · utrinskivesnik.mk · www.bl-portal.com · +5 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Rybar network has over 1.5 million subscribers on Telegram. www.ziarulnational.md · utrinskivesnik.mk · srnnews.com
- [DISPUTED] Mikhail Zvinchuk and four other Russian citizens were arrested in Risan, Montenegro. trn.mk · utrinskivesnik.mk · www.ziarulnational.md · www.pravda.sk · hip.ba · +17 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] Montenegrin authorities expelled Mikhail Zvinchuk and four other Russians from the country. www.bl-portal.com · trn.mk · utrinskivesnik.mk · www.ziarulnational.md · www.pravda.sk · +10 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Zvinchuk claimed they were in the region to film a documentary series about Russian-Balkan relations. beta.rs · www.bl-portal.com · www.infokuryr.cz · www.sjevercg.me · n1info.rs · +4 more