Marina Ovsyannikova, a former editor of the state-run Channel One network who spoke out against Moscow’s aggressiveness towards Ukraine on live air, is now facing criminal accusations after Russian security forces searched her home on Wednesday.
According to Dmitry Zakhvatov, a lawyer with the human rights organisation OVD-Info who is assisting the woman, Russian security forces allegedly knocked down the door to Ovsyannikova’s residence before waiting for her counsel to arrive.
Ovsyannikova is being brought before the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, a powerful government organisation comparable to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to Zakhvatov.
Also included are details about her arrest as well as what is known about her spouse and kids.
Igor Ovsyannikov, Marina Ovsyannikova’s husband, is the television director for RT
In response to Marina’s complaint, numerous media outlets made an effort to get in touch with her husband, Igor Ovsyannikov, with whom she shares two children.
Igor also serves as a director for Russia Today (RT), a programme that airs on 93 RU.
Furthermore, ever since she brought up her protest, he has told reporters he had no idea where it was taking place. According to Newizv, the two are supposedly currently estranged.
Igor Ovsyannikov, a television director, is Marina Ovsyannikova’s husband.
Another twist: Marina Ovsyannikova’s husband, Igor Ovsyannikov, purportedly works for Russia Today, according to a podcaster on Twitter. He said “Do svidaniya” when media tried to get in touch with him.
She also routinely shares pictures of her kid, a recent elementary school graduate, on Instagram.
Russian mother and a Ukrainian father make up the family
The 44-year-family old’s came from Odesa, which is now in Ukraine. Additionally, her father is Ukrainian and her mother is reportedly Russian.
Her daughter has finished elementary school.
She stated in her Telegram video that her parents, who are both Russian and Ukrainian, have never been adversaries.
She trained in swimming and artistic gymnastics during this time, and when she competed in university-level swimming events, she and her team won the Krasnodar championship.
Arrested Russian Journalist Charged With Raid-Related Offenses
The Russian journalist accused of spreading fake information about the Russian army acquired notoriety for criticising the fighting in Ukraine on state television.
For her crime, she might serve up to 10 years in prison. Ovsyannikova, a native of Ukraine, gained notoriety when she barged onto the Channel One set during a live evening news broadcast while brandishing a banner that said, “No War.”
She has already voiced her opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In July, Ovsyannikova held up a banner reading, “Putin is a murderer, and his guys are fascists.”
Across the Moskva River from the location of the poster is the Kremlin, which houses the Russian government. Three Russian dolls covered in blood were in front of her as she held up the sign.
On Wednesday, Ovsyannikova posted on Telegram claiming more than 350 children had died in Ukraine. How many children must die before you stop, she inquired?
Marina’s Earnings Despite Her Journalism Career
Despite the fact that her net worth and earnings are still under investigation, a Russian journalist may have accumulated a sizable fortune via her career in journalism.
The Channel One Russia TV network employed Marina. She has been employed by Vremya, the main evening news programme in Russia, on Channel One from the year 2000. Later, she said that one of her tasks was “creating Kremlin propaganda.”
She also interrupted a Vremya broadcast in 2022 to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which made headlines around the world.
In contrast, she was arrested, held without access to legal counsel, fined 30,000 rubles (about $250 at the time), and then let go.