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Expulsion of Russian Rybar network founder from Montenegro

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-10 22:00 UTC → 2026-10-11 01:14 UTC · added removed

Expulsion of Russian nationals Rybar network founder from Montenegro

Montenegrin authorities, including the Police Directorate and the National Security Agency (ANB), expelled Mikhail Zvinchuk—the founder of the Russian military Telegram network Rybar—and four other Russian nationals from the country. Officials conducted the operation in Risan to neutralize suspected hybrid warfare and activities intended to destabilize Montenegro. During the operation, police seized digital equipment such as drones and high-resolution cameras. Zvinchuk, identified as a GRU colonel and a former Russian Ministry of Defense official sanctioned by the European Union and the United Kingdom, claimed the group was in the country legally to film a documentary series regarding Russian-Balkan relations, specifically at the Cetinje Monastery. However, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić described the action as a success in protecting the nation and its European integration path against foreign influence operations. New details indicate the operation was conducted in coordination with international partners. Western intelligence agencies have linked the Rybar network to Kremlin-coordinated information operations and interference in foreign elections; notably, the U.S. Department of State has previously offered a reward of up to $10 million for information related to Rybar’s involvement in election interference. Following their expulsion, Zvinchuk, his wife Valerija, and their three associates arrived at the Belgrade airport in Serbia. Zvinchuk stated that the group intends to stay in Belgrade for several days before traveling traveled via Air Serbia to Moscow and noted that he had not received a formal explanation from security officials regarding their arrest. The group has indicated Belgrade, where they will intended to seek legal counsel in Serbia. Meanwhile, through a Belgrade-based law firm regarding procedural violations and the seizure of their equipment. The Russian embassy Embassy in Podgorica has and officials such as Maria Zakharova had requested clarification regarding the arrests and immediate consular access access, noting that no formal reasons were provided for the detained citizens. initial detention. After their stay in Serbia, Zvinchuk, his wife Valerija, and their three associates traveled to Moscow, arriving in the early hours of Sunday.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-11 01:14 UTC Expulsion of Russian Rybar network founder from Montenegro
  2. 2026-10-10 22:00 UTC Expulsion of Russian nationals from Montenegro
  3. 2026-10-10 12:56 UTC Expulsion of Russian nationals from Montenegro
  4. 2026-10-10 12:08 UTC Expulsion of Russian nationals from Montenegro
  5. 2026-10-10 07:58 UTC Expulsion of Russian nationals from Montenegro
  6. 2026-10-10 05:35 UTC Expulsion of Russian nationals from Montenegro
  7. 2026-10-09 23:06 UTC Expulsion of Russian nationals from Montenegro

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