Kynev's lawyer, Mikhail Biryukov, confirmed the detention to journalists. He declined to comment further.
The charge falls under point "g" of part 4 of Article 228.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. No details of the case have been released.
Alexei Venediktov, former editor-in-chief of Ekho Moskvy, said Kynev does not admit guilt on the drug distribution charge.
It is not known when exactly the political analyst was detained. His last post on his Telegram channel appeared on September 23, commenting on the results of the State Duma elections.
Kynev specializes in political analysis of Russia's regions and the structure of power in the country's constituent entities, and works on electoral research. In 2025 he published a book, "Who and How Governs Russia's Regions," on the formation of regional administrations since the collapse of the USSR. In February, the authorities designated Kynev an "foreign agent."