Russian propaganda media Rybar in Banja Luka: Russian influence on Republika Srpska politics

The Russian media outlet Rybar, described as an organization that spreads propaganda and exerts malign influence on democratic elections, was present in Banja Luka during the extraordinary presidential elections in Republika Srpska.

On November 23, the extraordinary elections for the President of Republika Srpska took place following the removal of Milorad Dodik from office due to his conviction for disregarding decisions of the High Representative. Despite the lowest voter turnout in 18 years, the elections attracted global attention due to the change of a pro-Russian politician.

While media and civil society organizations reported on the results, the competition between the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) and the opposition, and the vote counting, it was revealed that the sanctioned Russian media outlet, considered by the US, UK, and EU governments as a propagandist media organization conducting malign activities to undermine elections worldwide, was present in Banja Luka.

Following previous visits to Banja Luka, it has now been confirmed that during and after the extraordinary elections, Mikhail Zvinchuk, head of the Russian propaganda media Rybar, was in the city. Rybar’s influence spreads extensively through social media.

Commenting on this visit, the Ukrainian Embassy emphasized the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina, exercising its sovereign right to regulate the entry and stay of foreign nationals, to continue acting with utmost caution and in compliance with its international obligations.

The UK Embassy, noting that Zvinchuk has been on the sanctions list since December 9, warned of the dangerous ties of this Russian media outlet.

“Rybar is partially coordinated by the Russian Presidential Administration, receives funding from the state corporation Rostec, and cooperates with members of Russian intelligence agencies,” the Embassy stated.

According to information, Zvinchuk entered Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 23, election day. Although he posts daily about his activities on social media, he did not share his coverage until after the elections concluded.

A day later, Rybar published a video analysis of the electoral process in Republika Srpska. This time, Zvinchuk moved from his standard studio and positioned himself in front of the RS Government building in Banja Luka.

He analyzed the election results and argued that old political strategies are no longer necessary, claiming the elections revealed new trends. Zvinchuk compared the situation in RS to the “Asian Spring,” when younger generations in Nepal and Madagascar in 2025 mobilized through social media, bypassing traditional power structures.

He noted that while the elections formally strengthened Dodik’s course, RS now faces a new political reality where outcomes are influenced not by established institutions but by the speed of adaptation to digital influence technologies. This, he said, reflects how the environment itself is reshaping politics.

On the same day, Rybar published one of its well-known infographics, providing a detailed analysis of the RS elections, emphasizing that Milorad Dodik won, but questioning whether the new leader will courageously protect the rights of the people as his predecessor did.

A day earlier, the same channel on Telegram shared election results in RS under the title “Course Toward Autonomy,” explaining in a short analysis that the new president would maintain the entity’s independent course and continue defending its autonomy.

Zvinchuk is publicly known as a Russian propagandist by several democratic governments, including Ukraine. According to The Washington Post, he is a former military translator in the Russian army press service with an officer rank. Dissatisfied with the lack of quality analysis on the Middle East, in 2018 he founded Rybar, funded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the infamous private military company Wagner.

His influence spread quickly, and Zvinchuk claimed that Rybar has a global network of over 250 channels in 28 languages. Beyond media, Zvinchuk expanded his influence through workshops. In 2024, he visited Banja Luka, met with government agency directors, and announced Rybar’s plan to establish a media school. This project was never officially realized, and each visit to BiH was shrouded in secrecy.

Research into Zvinchuk and Rybar’s channels shows that since early September 2025, posts promoting the new media school intensified. On September 9, Rybar announced that the school would start the new academic year with training programs. In October, they also announced a unique media school for foreign students, in collaboration with the Faculty of International Relations and the Alumni Council of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations./Detekto.ba.