‘Don’t believe the propaganda’: Russian journalist crashes state-controlled media with anti-war sign

Watch the moment here:

The woman was later identified as Marina Ovsyannikova. Pavel Chikov, a human rights lawyer in Russia, tweeted that the protester had been detained since the Monday broadcast.

The woman who disrupted TV broadcast in Moscow is identified as Channel One producer Marina Ovsyannikova, writes prominent lawyer Pavel Chikov. https://t.co/hDrlRUhhsu

— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) March 14, 2022

OVD-Info, an independent Russian monitoring group, reported that Ovsyannikova was no outsider to the news organisation but an editor working at Channel One. In a video statement that was reposted by OVD-Info, Ovsyannikova stated that her father is Ukrainian and her mother is Russian, according to Euro News.

Translation of Maria Ovsiannikova’s video message. “Unfortunately, I have been working at Channel One… working on Kremlin propaganda. And now I am very ashamed. I am ashamed that I’ve allowed the lies to be said on the TV screens… that I let the Russian people be zombified.” pic.twitter.com/wacSblcj20

— Mary Ilyushina (@maryilyushina) March 14, 2022

“What is happening in Ukraine now is a crime, and Russia is the aggressor,” she was quoted by Euro News, adding that she was ashamed of working at Channel One, “doing Kremlin propaganda”.

In a statement to state news agency TASS, Channel One said that “an incident took place with an extraneous woman in shot. An internal check is being carried out,” AFP reported.

Here’s how netizens reacted to the protest:

Astonishing bravery. And yet another reminder that Putin and his regime are not synonymous with Russia and its people. #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #IStandWithUkraine️ https://t.co/PuEpKuEeyT

— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) March 14, 2022

Wow so brave so courageous
A Russian TV employee crashes most watched live newscast with anti war anti propaganda sign pic.twitter.com/zorkTGBElQ

— Jacques Hyzagi (@jacques_hyzagi) March 15, 2022

I hope she is safe. Brava, strong woman!

— Joyce (@joycemfs) March 14, 2022

The video makes it pretty clear that it was not a “performance”. They quickly cut to a video of a hospital….https://t.co/IReWixKHgb

— BezierCurve (@BezierPentool) March 15, 2022

Her necklace is the color of the Russian and Ukrainian flags. Hope she’s okay.

— Michael (@ferrictron) March 14, 2022

Russia has blocked Facebook, Twitter and Instagram this week, and you can get up to 15 years in prison for ‘spreading fake news’ about the war. It’s scary how quickly things are going downhill. I’m glad there are people who aren’t afraid to speak up – this is Maria Ovsiannikova https://t.co/JALkslOAxF

— Arina 🇷🇺❤️🇺🇦 (@arina_toma) March 14, 2022

Wow. That is all kinds of brave. What an absolute heroine. https://t.co/nMCQ55kJBW

— HollieH 🔶3.5% (@hkh_uk) March 14, 2022

The incident happened as Russia launched a crackdown on independent media, where Kremlin’s version about the Ukraine conflict has been allowed. Legislation passed earlier this month made it illegal to call the military action an “invasion” or “war”. Even access to social media is restricted to curb the spread of information from foreign sources.