Marina Ovsyannikova identified as woman who protested against Ukraine war on Russian TV

People around the world are applauding the bravery of a Russian state TV worker who derailed her own network’s broadcast.

Media figures around the world have applauded the bravery of a Russian state TV employee who interrupted her own network’s live news broadcast to protest against the war in Ukraine, at great personal risk.

The incident happened during Russian station Channel One’s evening news broadcast. A woman moved into shot behind the newsreader, holding a sign that read: “No war. Stop the war. Don’t believe propaganda. They’re lying to you here.”

She was also chanting the words “stop the war”.

OCD-Info, a human rights protest monitoring group, identified the woman as Marina Ovsyannikova, an employee of Channel One. Russian media subsequently confirmed her identity.

As footage of her protest spread online, prominent human rights lawyer Pavel Chikov said she needed “to be protected urgently”. He said she had been taken to Ostankino police department, and would face charges for “discrediting the Russian armed forces”, which can carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

I went through the trouble of running back on this broadcast through an ultra sketchy website because I didn't believe it. It's absolutely real. Happened about half an hour ago. This is one of Russia's most widely-viewed channels. https://t.co/FSldUGge5v

— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) March 14, 2022

This woman doubtless knew what doing this would mean for her—arrest and a long prison sentence—and did it anyway.

— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) March 14, 2022

It cannot be understated how bold and brave this protest was by Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor at Russia’s state-run Channel 1. She interrupted the network’s broadcast to tell viewers to not believe propaganda and to stop the war in Ukraine. https://t.co/HvOtEVDQ2C

— Jenna Amatulli (@ohheyjenna) March 14, 2022

Incredible, colossal bravery.

Russia state tv journalist Marina Ovsyannikova protested against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine live during the news.

Now she risks up to 15 years in jail. But she has already made history. A new Braveheart.pic.twitter.com/FHVPoWZ3aP

— Antonello Guerrera (@antoguerrera) March 14, 2022

Needless to say, Ovsyannikova for certain knew she would likely spend many years in prison for this - and she did it anyway. https://t.co/w5ODXVUp66

— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) March 14, 2022

Ms Ovsyannikova recorded a video message in Russian before her protest, in which she denounced the war, said her father was Ukrainian, and said she was ashamed of spreading Mr Putin’s propaganda.

“What is happening in Ukraine right now is a crime, and Russia is the aggressor country. The responsibility for this aggression lies on the conscience of only one person. This person is Vladimir Putin,” she said.

“My father is Ukrainian, my mother is Russian. They have never been enemies. this necklace on my neck is like a symbol of the need for Russia to immediately stop this fratricidal war. Our people can still make peace.

“Unfortunately, during these past years, I have been working at Channel One, involved in Kremlin propaganda. I am very ashamed of this. Ashamed because I allowed lies to be told from the TV screen.

“Right now the whole world has turned away from us. Ten generations of our descendants will not be able to wash off the shame of this fratricidal war.

“We are Russian people. A thinking and smart people. Only we have the power to stop this madness. Go to protests. Do not be afraid. They cannot put us all in jail.”

A screengrab from the video message prerecorded by Maria Ovsyannikova.

Many thousands of Russians have already been arrested for protesting against the war, including more than 4000 on Sunday alone.

Earlier this month, Russia adopted two new laws making it illegal to spread so-called “fake news” about its armed forces, or call for an end to the war. The penalties can be as severe as a 15-year jail sentence.

In a statement to the Russian state news agency TASS, Channel One said “an internal check” was being conducted regarding “an incident” with “an extraneous woman in shot”.

A law enforcement official told the agency Ms Ovsyannikova could be charged under the legislation mentioned above.

The Russian regime’s crackdown on independent media since the beginning of the war has silenced dissenting voices. State television has justified the war, casting the Russian forces as liberators freeing Ukraine from the influence of Nazis.