Watch a protester crash a Russian state TV broadcast to condemn the Ukraine invasion
A woman interrupted a Russian state TV broadcast on Monday evening to call condemn the Moscow-led invasion of Ukraine and warn viewers of propaganda, journalists for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Meduza have reported.
The protester burst out behind what's said to be a veteran news anchor during the 9 p.m. broadcast with a homemade sign that read: "Stop the war. Don't believe in propaganda. They're lying to you."
The woman, reportedly named Marina Ovsyannikova, said in a message recorded beforehand that she is of both Russian and Ukrainian descent, and she's ashamed about working for Kremlin propaganda, per a translation from Meduza's Kevin Rothrock.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to the Times' Anton Troianovski and Rothrock, Ovsyannikova is an employee of the network that aired the broadcast — Channel One. She has now been arrested, says the Journal's Matthew Luxmoore.
Channel One is one of the most popular state-run channels in Russia, and "pushes Putin's propaganda about the war in Ukraine," The Daily Beast reports. The network is now conducting an "internal review" of the incident, according to TASS news agency.
In the wake of a new censorship law that threatens those who challenge the government's official war narrative with up to 15 years in prison, Russian news outlets reporting on Ovsyannikova's protest have had to blur out her sign, Rothrock notes.
Less than 2 hours later, thousands have commented on Ovsyannikova's Facebook page, thanking her for taking a stand, per Troianovski.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Discovering Perthshire, a Scottish wonderland
In Depth Make your own magic in this gateway to the Highlands
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Forsyte Saga: 'faultless' production with a 'pitch-perfect' cast
The Week Recommends Theatrical adaptation of John Galsworthy's novels is a 'must-see' show
By The Week Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What happens if Russia declares war on Nato?
Today's Big Question Fears are growing after Vladimir Putin's 'unusually specific warning' to Western governments
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Are Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets too little too late?
Today's Big Question US-made aircraft are 'significant improvement' on Soviet-era weaponry but long delay and lack of trained pilots could undo advantage against Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's stolen children
Under the Radar Officially 20,000 children have been detained since Russia's invasion in 2022, but the true number is likely to be far higher
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief timeline of Russia's war in Ukraine
In Depth How the Kremlin's plan for a quick conquest turned into a quagmire
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's thorny convict-soldier problem
Under the Radar Putin's Ministry of Defense, like Wagner, is recruiting soldiers from Russian prisons to fight his Ukraine war. Russians aren't excited about them returning home.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published