According to Serbian Economist, Montenegrin police have deported six Ukrainian citizens suspected of establishing a network of cooperation with one of the “high-risk organized crime groups” (OCGs) operating in the country.
According to police, the operation lasted several days and was aimed at identifying foreigners whose presence and activities could pose a threat to the country’s internal and national security. As a result of the investigations, police reported uncovering links between six Ukrainians, aged 28 to 33, and one of the organized criminal groups.
Following the investigation, the police initiated the revocation of the temporary protection previously granted to these Ukrainian citizens. Subsequently, a decision was made to deport all six individuals and ban them from returning to Montenegro for a period of five years. They were forcibly removed from the country via Podgorica Airport and the Božaj border crossing on the border with Albania.
Another Ukrainian citizen, who is currently outside Montenegro, was barred from entering the country on the same grounds. Thus, the measures affected seven individuals: six were deported, and one was barred from entry.
During the operation, various communication devices, GPS tracking devices, drones, devices for interpersonal communication, and other items were seized from those inspected. The police stated that they will continue to inspect foreigners as part of measures to counter threats to national security.
At the same time, it is important to clarify the legal aspect of the report: the police are specifically referring to suspicions of collaboration with an organized criminal group and the results of operational checks. The official statement contains no information about a court verdict that has taken effect regarding these citizens or about criminal charges brought against them. Therefore, it is currently incorrect to refer to them as members of a criminal group based on the published data.
Since 2022, the Ukrainian community has become one of the largest foreign communities in the small country of Montenegro. The actual number of Ukrainians with valid temporary protection can now be conservatively estimated at 6,000–7,000 people.
The situation is less clear regarding regular residence permits and permanent residency. The most recent complete breakdown by nationality from the Ministry of the Interior showed that as of October 31, 2023, 5,208 Ukrainian citizens held regulated temporary or permanent residence permits in Montenegro. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet released any more recent official public data specifically regarding Ukrainian temporary or permanent residence permits for 2026. Therefore, it is not possible to state, for example, that exactly 5,000 or 7,000 Ukrainians currently hold regular temporary residence permits. In 2025, local media, citing registration data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, estimated the total Ukrainian community at 10,000 people. This represents about 1.6% of the country’s population. For comparison, the latest census indicates that Montenegro’s permanent population is 623,633.
