Drones and electronic equipment found in possession of Russian propagandist detained in Montenegro

Modern digital equipment, drones, electronic devices and phones have been found in the possession of Mikhail Zvinchuk, head of the Russian propaganda information network Rybar, and his associates, who were detained by Montenegrin law enforcement officers.

Source: Montenegrin newspaper Vijesti, citing sources in Montenegro's security services, as reported by European Pravda

Details: During the detention of Zvinchuk, his wife and their associates in the town of Risan, they were found with "drones, sophisticated digital equipment and electronic devices".

A criminal investigation into the detainees is underway. A large-scale operation in the Bay of Kotor area is being conducted by officers of the Tivat Security Department in cooperation with the National Security Agency (ANB).

Vijesti reports that the Montenegrin police and ANB will take further measures within their powers to protect national security.

Earlier in the morning, Vijesti reported that the operation was being conducted amid suspicions of hybrid activities by the Rybar network, which UK and US authorities have linked to Kremlin propaganda and foreign information influence operations.

According to the same report, Montenegrin security services had received information that members of the network were arriving in the country, and their movements had been monitored for several days.

The purpose of the visit was reportedly to film a documentary about Montenegro bringing its visa policy into line with European Union standards.

Sources in the security sector said the planned content was intended to portray European integration as a politically imposed process that would have negative consequences for tourism, economic stability and Montenegro's national interests.

Background:

• On the morning of 9 October, Zvinchuk was detained in Montenegro along with his wife and colleague, Valeria Zvinchuk, as well as three other people.
• Mikhail Zvinchuk is subject to UK sanctions, and the US Department of State has listed him as being involved in malicious influence operations targeting the US electoral process.
• Under its Rewards for Justice programme, the US Department of State is offering up to US$10 million for information that helps identify or locate foreign actors involved in interference in US elections, including suspected Rybar associates, or helps prevent such activities.

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