The US State Department has made a surprising move: they’re offering up to $10 million for information about people connected to a popular Russian military blog called Rybar LLC. This blog has come under fire for spreading “disinformation” during elections in the United States. To find out more, a journalist from Sputnik spoke with Mikhail Zvinchuk, the founder of Rybar, who shared his thoughts on this unexpected attention.
A Bold Statement from the US
The State Department recently featured Rybar on their Rewards for Justice program’s official website. This is the same program usually associated with catching terrorists, which makes the situation even more dramatic. They released a series of strange YouTube videos, resembling a low-budget game show, with AI-generated voices explaining the blog’s alleged bad actions.
According to the US government, Rybar is accused of managing various social media channels that promote Russian government interests in America. They say the blog is trying to create division in society, focusing on sensitive issues like immigration and stirring up racial tensions.
Zvinchuk’s Response: Amusement and Surprise
Mikhail Zvinchuk finds the whole thing amusing. He expressed surprise that the US is using the Rewards for Justice program against a media outlet instead of suspected terrorists. He noted that while RT (another Russian media outlet) has faced sanctions and restrictions, Rybar seems to be caught in a similar crossfire despite not having any direct ties to the US or Texas.
Zvinchuk sees the US’s actions as a sign of success for Rybar, suggesting that it shows the blog’s growing influence. He believes the American authorities might feel threatened by the blog’s success in Europe and beyond, fearing it could cause problems if it gains traction in the US.
What Does Rybar Do?
Rybar aims to provide quality coverage of important global issues, especially those affecting Russia. They focus on geopolitical challenges and crises around the world, and Zvinchuk argues that their analysis helps the Russian government address these threats. He believes their commitment to delivering information without the constraints faced by other media outlets makes them stand out, attracting attention even in the West.
A Target Before Elections
As the US approaches an important election period, Zvinchuk suspects that the government’s move against Rybar is a way to deflect blame for its own political issues. He thinks the State Department is using Rybar as a scapegoat for the country’s political challenges, especially amid disputes between the Democrats and Republicans.
By blaming Russian media for its problems, the US may be trying to distract from its failures. Zvinchuk points out that other Russian media outlets have already been targeted, and now it seems to be Rybar’s turn—despite them not posing any real threat.
