The Montenegrin publication *Vijesti*, citing sources in the security sector, reported that on the morning of 9 October, Mikhail Zvinchuk, the head of the Russian pro-war project *Rybar*, his wife Valeria and three other people were detained in Risan. According to media reports, the police and the Montenegrin National Security Agency (ANB) were involved in the operation.
Briefly about the main points
- Vijesti reported that five people had been detained in Risan.
- Among them are Mykhailo and Valeria Zvinchuk.
- The official charges and the defendant’s legal status have not been made public.
- The US is offering up to $10 million for information on interference linked to Rybar.
What is known about the transaction
According to the information News, Montenegrin security forces are conducting an operation targeting the Rybar network, which the publication’s security sources link to suspected hybrid activities. Another Montenegrin media outlet, Standard, citing Pobjeda, also reported the arrest of the Zvinchuks.
As of the time of the initial reports on 9 October, the police, the ANB and the public prosecutor’s office had not publicly specified the nature of the case. Nor was there any official information regarding precautionary measures, searches, the seizure of property or possible extradition.
The sanctions context regarding Rybar
In December 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions against Rybar LLC and Mykhailo Zvinchuk. The British Government has stated that the network is linked to Russian state-sponsored disinformation activities, is partly coordinated by the Russian President’s administration, receives funding from «Rostec» and cooperates with representatives of the Russian intelligence services.
Mykhailo Zvinchuk is also under EU sanctions since June 2023. In its justification for the sanctions, the Council of the EU linked him to the pro-Russian Telegram channel ‘Rybar’ and the dissemination of pro-Kremlin propaganda about the war.
What does the US reward mean?
A programme of the US State Department Rewards for Justice is offering up to $10 million for information, which will help identify those involved in foreign interference in the US elections or prevent such interference. On the programme’s page, Mykhailo Zvinchuk is listed as the director of Rybar, and Valeriy Zvinchuk — Creative Director.
The American programme mentions the Rybar-linked accounts HOLDTHELINE, STANDWTHTEXAS and TEXASvsUSA, which are aimed at an audience in the US. The reward of up to $10 million is not a separate fixed sum specifically for the arrest of Zvinchuk: it relates to relevant information about possible foreign interference and associated individuals or organisations.
