Journalists at the Czech outlet Seznam Zprávy found that representatives of Rybar — an analytical center and one of the largest pro-war Telegram channels with ties to Russia’s Defense Ministry — work in Europe and regularly interview politicians, journalists, and experts.
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Seznam Zprávy identifies them as Vitaly Chashchukhin and cameraman Igor Dolmatov. Both men have EU residence permits. The journalists also noted that Chashchukhin had worked with Izvestia, Channel Five, and REN TV, all of which are subject to sanctions. When the Seznam Zprávy journalists revealed who they were, the Rybar staff members left.
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Rybar’s Telegram channel was founded by Mikhail Zvinchuk, a former employee of the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service, and his colleague Denis Shchukin. According to The Bell, Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin helped fund the channel.
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