You are probably aware that this happened …
Some questioned it – How could that possibly happen, how could she get inside a secure TV studio and make such a protest live on air.
The answer is that she worked there, and until recently fronted the news herself.
She also recorded a separate clip explaining it all …
Wait what, you don’t speak Russian!
Oh OK, here you go …
All responsibility for this aggression lies on the conscience of one person: Vladimir Putin. My father is Ukrainian, my mother is Russian. They were never enemies. This necklace around my neck signifies that Russia should immediately stop this fratricidal war and our brotherly nations can make peace with each other.
Unfortunately, for the last several years I worked at Channel One, promoting Kremlin propaganda and for that I am very ashamed right now. I am ashamed that I allowed lies to be told from TV screens, that I allowed Russian people to be zombified. We stayed quiet when all of this was just getting started in 2014. We didn’t come out to protest when the Kremlin poisoned Navalny. We continued to quietly watch this inhumane regime.
Now the whole world turned away from us. Ten generations of our descendants won’t be able to wash away the shame of this fratricidal war. We, the Russian people, are thoughtful and smart, only we have the power to stop all this madness. Come out to protests, fear nothing, they can’t jail us all.
I really don’t need to tell you this, but that was probably a career decision.
More than that, it was a life decision.
Actions have consequences. She knew that but still decided that her personal safety and career were not as important as making a very public statement.
Why did she do this?
What is now happening is too close to home. Her father is Ukrainian.
What Has Happened to her?
So far all that has happened is that she was given a 30,000 rouble (£214, $280) fine.
Is that it?
Normally no, but this has been a high-profile case that has attracted a lot of attention, hence I suspect they are being very careful.
The Guardian has these insights …
…Emmanuel Macron of France even offered her consular “protection” and said he would raise her case with Vladimir Putin.
In a legal twist, Ovsyannikova was fined not for breaking onto the Channel One set but for a video statement she made before the protest in which she said she was “ashamed” of having worked at Channel One and spreading “Kremlin propaganda”.
“These were indeed some of the hardest days of my life,” she told reporters following the short hearing. “I spent two days without sleep. I was questioned for more than 14 hours. They didn’t allow me to reach my family or give me any legal aid. I was in a fairly difficult position.” She also said she wasn’t surprised at her release because she had two children….
…The Kremlin had suggested that Ovsyannikova had violated laws on hooliganism that can carry a sentence of years in prison. Lawyers said it was still possible that prosecutors would press tougher charges against Ovsyannikova, but that it was less likely following Tuesday’s hearing.
“There are still risks that a criminal case will be opened against Ovsyannikova, but the chances of that have sharply decreased after the fine that she received today,” said Pavel Chikov, the head of Agora International Human Rights Group. “She has been fined not for her performance, but for her video message in which she urged people to protest.”
“No case has been opened yet against her performance, and the prosecutor’s office might still decide to do so,” he continued. “But, the fact that she has already received a quick punishment indicates that a political decision has been made not to persecute her further.”
Tatiana Stanovaya, a political analyst and founder of R Politik, said that there were probably differing views among Kremlin advisers about how to deal with Ovsyannikova’s case. While some may have lobbied for a tough response, others could have feared a backlash if the mother of two was treated too harshly.
“Nobody was ready for something like this ahead of time,” she said. “And the Kremlin wouldn’t have a ready template for how to react.”
Several prominent journalists have reportedly left their positions at state media since Ovsyannikova’s protest.
There is a bigger context to be conscious of. Nearly 15,000 people have been detained in Russia for participating in demonstrations against the war, she is one of many.
Those not in the international public eye most probably don’t get such an easy ride.
As is usual with such events, some are popping up to claim it is all part of some grand conspiracy and that the entire thing was staged.
No.
Seriously, just no.
(Sigh!)
Meanwhile, there may still be a criminal case raised. 15 years or more in some remote gulag is still on the cards.
One Last Image
We desperately need her on Fox not News….
Question for Commenters
If you have been in her position then what would you have done?