Zelensky is 'thankful' for anti-war protesters in Russia 'fighting against disinformation'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applauded the employee of Russia's Channel One who held up a sign during a Monday night news report that stated, "NO WAR. Stop the war. Don't believe propaganda. They are lying to you here."
The protester has been identified by the OVD-Info human rights organization as Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor and producer at Channel One. In a message recorded before her protest, Ovsyannikova said, "What is going on in Ukraine is a crime, and Russia is the aggressor country." While working at Channel One, she spread "Kremlin propaganda," Ovsyannikova continued, and is now "very ashamed. I am ashamed that I've allowed the lies to be said on the TV screens." It is up to Russians to "stop this madness," she added. "Take to the streets. Do not be afraid. They can't jail us all."
Ovsyannikova stormed the set of one of the most popular news programs in Russia, and other media outlets in the country are censoring her sign in their reports. A law was recently passed in Russia that makes it illegal to spread "fake news" about the Russian military amid the invasion of Ukraine, and it's possible Ovsyannikova, who has been detained, will face charges under this rule.
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.
Zelensky praised Ovsyannikova and other Russian protesters during his nightly address on Monday. Speaking in Russian, Zelensky said, "I'm thankful to those Russians who don't stop trying to deliver the truth, who are fighting against disinformation and tell real facts to their friends and families, and personally to that woman who went in the studio of Channel One with an anti-war poster. Those who aren't afraid to protest. As long as your country isn't completely closed from the rest of the world, turning into a huge North Korea, you have to fight, you don't have to miss your chance."
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
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Incendiary device plot: Russia's 'rehearsals' for attacks on transatlantic flights
The Explainer Security officials warn of widespread Moscow-backed 'sabotage campaign' in retaliation for continued Western support for Ukraine
By The Week UK Published
-
The North Korean troops readying for deployment in Ukraine
The Explainer Third country wading into conflict would be 'the first step to a world war' Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned
By The Week UK Published
-
Experts call for a Nato bank to 'Trump-proof' military spending
Under The Radar A new lender could aid co-operation and save millions of pounds, say think tanks
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK 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
-
Missile escalation: will long-range rockets make a difference to Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Kyiv is hoping for permission to use US missiles to strike deep into Russian territory
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Atesh: the Ukrainian partisans taking on Russia
Under The Radar Underground resistance fighters are risking their lives to defend their country
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
'Second only to a nuclear bomb' – the controversial arms Russia is using in Ukraine
The Explainer Thermobaric bombs 'capable of vaporising human bodies' have been used against Ukraine
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The peaceful archipelago that may take up arms
Under The Radar Russia's invasion of Ukraine has left the Åland Islands 'peculiarly vulnerable'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published