The United States is offering a $10 million reward for information on the Russian blog "Rybar," which U.S. authorities accuse of attempting to destabilize the country ahead of the upcoming election.
Aligned With Russian Military
This announcement was made through the Rewards for Justice program, an anti-terrorism initiative run by the U.S. Department of State. According to reports from Digi24, the program has identified nine individuals linked to Rybar’s activities, including its founder, Mikhail Zvinchuk.
Mikhail Zvinchuk, who operates online under the alias "Rybar," is a prominent figure in the Russian military blogging community. His Telegram channel, which has over 1.3 million subscribers, provides regular updates on the war in Ukraine.
Many of these updates are aligned with the Russian military’s narrative, though Zvinchuk has recently drawn attention for criticizing Russian military leaders for falsely claiming territorial gains in Ukraine. Despite this, he remains closely associated with the Russian government and military.
Promotes the Kremlin’s Political Interests
The U.S. alleges that Rybar’s activities go beyond reporting on military events.
According to the Rewards for Justice statement, Rybar manages social media accounts for Russian propaganda channels such as #HOLDTHELINE and #STANDWTHTEXAS.
These channels are believed to promote the Kremlin’s political interests within the United States, with the goal of causing division and unrest.
The U.S. government claims that Rybar is part of a broader influence campaign aimed at spreading disinformation, sowing discord, provoking partisan and racial tensions, and encouraging hatred and violence within American society.
The $10 million reward is being offered to anyone who can provide significant information regarding Rybar's activities or those involved in the operation.
