(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – An anti-war protester has interrupted a live evening news programme on Russia’s state television, holding up a sign behind the studio presenter that said “NO WAR. Stop the war” and “Don’t believe the propaganda”.
The act of dissent at Channel One’s studios on Monday came on day 19 of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, amid what human rights groups have called an “unprecedented, nationwide crackdown on independent journalism, anti-war protests and dissenting voices” in Russia.
The sign held up by the female protester read in English and Russian: “NO WAR. Stop the war. Don’t believe propaganda. They are lying to you here.”
Another phrase, which looked like “Russians against war”, was partly obscured.
She could be heard shouting “Stop the war. No to war”, as the news anchor continued to read from her teleprompter.
After several seconds, the channel switched to a different report to remove the protester from the screen.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the woman in his nightly video address:
“I am grateful to those Russians who do not stop trying to convey the truth. To those who fight disinformation and tell the truth, real facts to their friends and loved ones,” Zelenskyy said. “And personally to the woman who entered the studio of Channel One with a poster against the war.”
Kira Yarmysh, spokeswoman for jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny, wrote on Twitter: “Wow, that girl is cool.”
She posted a video of the incident, which quickly notched up more than 2.6 million views.
