Leading pro-Kremlin war blogger detained in Montenegro

Russian pro-Kremlin military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the influential Rybar Telegram channel, has been detained in Montenegro along with several associates, Montenegrin authorities said Friday. Rybar, which British and US authorities have accused of spreading Kremlin propaganda and disinformation, has more than 1.5 million subscribers. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, pro-Kremlin war bloggers have become a key cog in Russia’s propaganda machine, providing battlefield updates while maintaining a pro-conflict stance. Many of the military bloggers have deep sources within the state’s armed forces, which gives them unparalleled access to information. Montenegro’s prime minister said the move by the country’s security services came in response to information that the Rybar network could try to “destabilize” the Balkan country through a campaign of disinformation. “Montenegro is protecting its interests, and no one will jeopardize our European future,” Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said on X. Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Zvinchuk’s detention and said it was seeking further information. The Montenegrin outlet Vijesti reported that Zvinchuk, his wife Valeriya and three other individuals had been detained Friday morning in the coastal town of Risan. Zvinchuk has been under British sanctions since last December for his involvement in “destabilising Ukraine” and undermining its territorial integrity. Ukraine’s defense intelligence describes Zvinchuk as one of the most prominent proponents of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Through his Rybar channel, Zvinchuk “systematically disseminates disinformation aimed at justifying the invasion, discrediting the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and delegitimizing the Ukrainian government,” a description of him on Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence War Sanctions portal reads. The UK and the European Union have both sanctioned Zvinchuk. The UK government said Rybar had “the appearance of a reliable news source, principally focussed on military analysis of the war in Ukraine,” but covertly acted on behalf of the Russian state and attempted to interfere in democratic elections. The United States has separately accused Zvinchuk of attempting to interfere in its 2024 presidential election.