Russian journalist, who defied Vladimir Putin’s restrictions on freedom speech in order to condemn his war against Ukraine live on TV, has stated that she is concerned for her safety and does not intend to flee the country.

Marina Ovsyannikova, 43, dubbed the ‘bravest women on television’, said she is ‘extremely concerned’ for her safety after being handed a £210 fine by a Russian court amid fears – a mere fraction of the retaliation that had been expected.

Ovsyannikova, speaking on Wednesday, said she hopes that her protest against the war was not in vain and that Russians would open their eyes to propaganda being fed to them by state media.  

On Monday, the former news editor rose to international prominence when she stormed onto state-controlled Channel One holding an antiwar sign. 

Marina Ovsyannikova

Ovsyannikova had worked with Channel One for years, explaining how she managed to gain access to the broadcast studio to launch her protest

Marina Ovsyannikova, a  Russian journalist who hijacked prime-time TV news to denounce the war in Ukraine walked free from court last night –but could still face up to 15 years behind bars

The mother of two was regarded highly by the channel’s employees. She held a placard that read “Stop the War.” Don’t believe propaganda. They lie to you.

Then, she released an audio statement that called on ordinary Russians not to support the madness and protest.

Her extraordinary defiance of Vladimir Putin was quickly viralized, drawing praises from the leaders across the globe and leading to calls for Miss Ovsyannikova to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

However, once she was detained, it was feared that she might disappear just like many Kremlin critics.

The journalist’s lawyer stated that he couldn’t contact her or locate her at her notorious police station, which raised concern for her safety.

Then yesterday afternoon, Miss Ovsyannikova suddenly appeared at Moscow’s Ostankino district court, where a judge ordered her to pay a £210 fine (30,000 roubles) and released her.

Her maximum sentence for organizing illegal protests could be a 10 day detention.

However, the charge was based only on the video – not her interruption of the news broadcast.

It is now believed that the Kremlin’s cronies called yesterday for her imprisonment for several more years.

Miss Ovsyannikova may still face the serious criminal charges brought forward to stop ‘fake news about Russia’.

It is now a crime to refer to the conflict as a “war” instead of a military operation. This law carries a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Russia’s state-run Tass news agency stated that the Investigative Committee of Moscow, which is a key unit for crime, opened an investigation into the journalist.

Ovsyannikova, 43, was arrested following her protest, in which she interrupted a live Channel One broadcast with an anti-war placard (pictured behind  broadcaster Ekaterina Andreeva)

Ovsyannikova, 43, was arrested following her protest, in which she interrupted a live Channel One broadcast with an anti-war placard (pictured behind  broadcaster Ekaterina Andreeva)

Channel One editor Marina Ovsyannikova was accused of the 'Violation of the established procedure for organizing or holding a meeting, rally, demonstration, procession or picketing'

Marina Ovsyannikova (Channel One editor) was accused of violating the established procedure to organize or hold a meeting.

Marina’s message for her activists is: “Do not be afraid!” 

Russia is responsible for what’s happening in Ukraine right now. This aggression is only the fault of one man. Vladimir Putin is this man.

My father is Ukrainian. My mother, however, is Russian. They were not enemies. This necklace is an indication that Russia must stop this fratricidal war.

Then, our brothers and sisters will be able still to find a way of reconciliation.

Unfortunately, I’ve been employed by the Kremlin propaganda channel, Channel One, for most of my career. This is something I regret deeply. It was shameful that they were able to tell these lies through the computer screen. Ich am embarrassed that I let Russians become zombies.

In 2014, when it was all just starting, we remained silent. The Kremlin’s poisoning of Navalny prevented us from attending the rallies. This inhumane regime was watched by us silently.

Now the entire world is turning away from us. This fratricidal war will be shameful for even 10 generations.

We are Russian people – thoughtful and smart. This madness must be stopped. Participate in the demonstrations. Do not be afraid to do anything. They won’t put us all in prison.

The Russian government was trying to gather evidence against her, allegedly for “knowingly spreading false information” about Russia’s use of its armed forces.

Following her release from the court, Miss Ovsyannikova revealed to the court that she was barred by her attorneys during a 14 hour interrogation.

“It’s been really hard day in my life,” she stated, looking tired.

“I was held in detention for two days, I didn’t sleep well, and they wouldn’t let me contact my family or get any legal advice… it made me really difficult.

Miss Ovsyannikova expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported her, saying that she was tired and could not answer more questions. She also said she needed rest before she would reveal any further details.

Her interruption of Russia’s best-known anchor Ekaterina Andreieva was swiftly reported and she was taken into custody. Vremya is a main news channel that receives 250million viewers every night.

The journalist’s friend, who managed to get around security by working at the information program directorate at the channel as an employee, claimed she had planned the protest for several days.

According to reports, Miss Ovsyannikova is a Ukrainian woman whose mother was Russian but whose father is Ukrainian. She is also believed to be angry at the invasion.

“The anguish has been growing with her since the start of war.” She told me two days ago how she would do it.

After Miss Ovsyannikova’s brave act of defiance yesterday, the Ukrainian president thanked her personally for her courage and offered her refuge in France.

British MPs also advocate for her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Meanwhile, almost 50,000 users of social media flooded her Facebook with praise and messages of support.

Pictured: Miss Ovsyannikova¿s status as a senior television editor at the station meant she was able to get access to the broadcasting centre, and was not stopped by any armed guards

Pictured: The status of Miss Ovsyannikova as senior television editor allowed her to gain access to the broadcasting facility and she was not prevented by any armed guards

Last night, Emmanuel Macron, the French President said that he was open to diplomatic protection for Miss Ovsyannikova and will personally bring her case before Putin.

Yesterday’s morning video address by Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president thanked the journalist who bravely told the truth.

“I’m grateful to Russians that don’t stop trying to communicate the truth… To all who fight disinformation, and tell their friends and loved ones the truth, the real facts. 

He added, “And personally the woman who entered Channel One’s studio carrying a sign against war,” Following the protest she released a recorded video in which she called the events of Ukraine a “crime” and claimed she was embarrassed to have worked for Kremlin propaganda.

“I regret that I let myself tell lies on the TV screen,” she said. She explained that she was ashamed of having allowed Russians become zombies.

“We watched it silently.”

Russian-controlled state media have been calling the war a special military operation’, referring to Ukraine as aggressor. They also had anti-Ukraine rhetoric and called its elected government neoNazis.

In its efforts to subvert the citizens of Russia with propaganda, the Kremlin also blocks social media websites like Facebook and Twitter.

Pictured: Marina Ovsyannikova, the editor at the state broadcaster Channel One who protested against Russian military action in Ukraine during the evening news broadcast at the station late Monday, leaves the Ostankinsky District Court after being fined for 30,000 rubles

Pictured: Marina Ovsyannikova is the editor of the state broadcaster Channel One. She protested the Russian military actions in Ukraine at Monday’s evening news broadcast. After being fined for 3000 rubles, she leaves Ostankinsky District Court.

Miss Ovsyannikova urged the Russian people not to support the war and said that they were the only ones who could stop the madness.

Wearing a necklace displaying the colors of the Ukrainian and Russian flags, she said, “Don’t fear of anything. They can’t imprison us all.”

James Cleverly, Foreign Office Minister, said that the act, together with others in Russia, showed a “huge amount of bravery”.

BBC Breakfast told him that these acts are ‘incredibly important.’ He added: “It shows an enormous degree of courage for those individuals to protest against the oppressive, autoritarian state that we know. But it is really important that Russians understand what’s being done in their names.

“They were systematically deceived by Vladimir Putin. It’s important that they know the truth.

Bernie Sanders (left-wing US Senator) said that Sanders’ protest displayed ‘an unbelievable act of courage.

Channel One claimed it was investigating and yesterday the Kremlin characterized Miss Ovsyannikova’s heroic protest as an act o ‘hooliganism.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said that ‘as far as the woman is concerned this is hooliganism’ and thanked Channel One’s quality, objective, and timely programming.

Miss Ovsyannikova competed in swimming before she became a TV star. She crossed both the Volga River in Russia, and the Bosphorus Waterway in Turkey.

After graduating from Kuban State University, she went on to earn a master’s from Russia’s Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

Russia has seen nearly 15,000 detainees during the anti-war demonstrations. Journalists and media outlets that disagree with Mr Putin’s story are also being targeted.

Liliya Gilldeeva, 45 was one of Russia’s best presenters. She was also among three others who left their posts on the state-controlled media to protest recent events.

Gazprom-Media’s NTV channel had her as the anchor since 2006. She was there more than 10 years.

“At first I quit, I was afraid that they would not let me go. Then, I wrote my resignation letter,” she explained to blogger Ilya Varlamov.