> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.adriadefense.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Montenegro Orders Expulsion of Rybar Founder and Four Russians - URL: https://www.adriadefense.com/montenegro-orders-expulsion-of-rybar-founder-and-four-russians/ - Published: 2026-10-10T05:28:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-10T05:27:59.000Z - Description: Montenegro orders the expulsion of Rybar founder Mikhail Zvinchuk and four Russians after a security operation, following his visit to Bosnia. - Author: AdriaDefense Desk - Tags: Montenegro, SEE, Russia, Espionage, Intelligence, Bosnia and Herzegovina Montenegro ordered the expulsion of Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the Russian military information network Rybar, and four other Russian nationals on October 9, following a security operation in the coastal town of Risan. Authorities cited national and internal security concerns and seized digital equipment for forensic examination. The operation was carried out by Montenegro's Police Directorate and National Security Agency (ANB), with support from international partners. It followed Zvinchuk's recent travels through Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he produced political commentary during the October 4 general elections. Police said the five individuals had entered Montenegro less than two days before their detention and were staying at a hotel in Risan, near Kotor. ## Montenegrin Authorities Seize Digital Equipment The group included Zvinchuk's wife, Valeriia Zvinchuk, and three other Russian nationals. After questioning and intelligence checks, authorities issued expulsion orders under Montenegro's Law on Foreigners. Investigators seized high-resolution recording equipment, a drone, a video camera, a GoPro camera and several mobile phones. The police said the devices would undergo forensic examination to establish their intended use. The Higher State Prosecutor's Office in Podgorica and the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Kotor were notified. Although police described the operation as a preventive measure against potentially harmful activities, their public statement did not identify a specific criminal charge or establish that the seized equipment had been used for illegal surveillance. ## Rybar Founder Visited Bosnia During General Elections The detention followed a journey through the Western Balkans that has raised questions about how a sanctioned Russian information operator was able to travel through several countries. According to an [investigation published by Detektor](https://detektor.ba/2026/10/09/sankcionisani-ruski-propagandista-prije-hapsenja-u-crnoj-gori-boravio-u-bih-tokom-izbora/?ref=adriadefense.com), Zvinchuk arrived at Sarajevo International Airport on October 2 on a flight from Memmingen, Germany. He remained in Bosnia and Herzegovina until October 7, leaving through the Zupci border crossing toward Montenegro. His visit coincided with Bosnia's October 4 general elections. Detektor identified footage recorded near Kozarska Dubica and Donja Gradina, where Zvinchuk discussed the election results in Republika Srpska and Russia's political relationship with the Bosnian Serb entity. [Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty](https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/ribar-zvincuk-crna-gora-balkan-hapsenje-bih/33873638.html?ref=adriadefense.com) separately traced his activities in Serbia in late September, including footage recorded outside the National Assembly in Belgrade. Zvinchuk's presence and political commentary are documented. However, no publicly released evidence establishes that he conducted an unlawful election interference operation during this visit. ## Rybar's Connections to Russian State Institutions Rybar began as a military-focused Telegram channel covering Russia's war in Ukraine and has grown into an international information network with more than 1.5 million subscribers on its principal channel. Zvinchuk previously worked in the Russian Ministry of Defense's press service. The [European Union sanctioned Zvinchuk in June 2023](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R1216&ref=adriadefense.com), identifying him as a member of a working group established by President Vladimir Putin in December 2022 to coordinate support for Russia's war against Ukraine. The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Zvinchuk and Rybar LLC in December 2025. In its [official assessment of Russian foreign information warfare](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-action-against-russian-foreign-information-warfare/new-uk-action-against-foreign-information-warfare?ref=adriadefense.com), the British government stated that Rybar receives funding from Russian state-owned defense corporation Rostec, is partly coordinated by Russia's Presidential Administration and works with members of Russian intelligence services. British authorities also linked the network to covert information influence activities involving Moldova and Armenia. In July 2026, the UK extended sanctions to ten additional Rybar affiliates, including Valeriia Zvinchuk. ## Rybar Disputes Montenegro's Security Claims Rybar confirmed the detention but rejected suggestions that its representatives had violated Montenegrin law. The organization said its team had entered Montenegro legally and was planning to film the Cetinje Monastery, for which it claimed an official request had been submitted. It also reported contacting Russia's Foreign Ministry for assistance. Montenegrin newspaper Vijesti, citing security sources, separately reported that the group intended to produce material concerning Montenegro's planned alignment with European Union visa policies. Those sources alleged that the production would portray closer EU integration negatively. The authorities have not publicly released evidence substantiating that particular allegation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian diplomats would examine the circumstances of the detention and protect the citizens' rights. Montenegro, a NATO member since 2017 and an EU candidate country, plans to introduce visa requirements for Russian citizens from November 1. The expulsion orders were issued after Zvinchuk's arrival in Montenegro despite his inclusion on EU sanctions lists. The incident leaves open questions about how regional border authorities identify sanctioned individuals and what the seized equipment may reveal about the group's activities. As of October 9, Montenegrin authorities had announced the expulsion decisions and forensic examination of the seized devices, but had not publicly detailed any additional criminal proceedings.