Marina Ovsanikova recounts her dramatic escape from Russia after being arrested for live TV protests
Russian journalist Marina Ovsanikova has recounted her dramatic escape from Moscow a week before she faces trial for disrupting a live broadcast on Russian TV criticizing her country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The journalist spoke at a press conference in Paris on Friday, where he explained that, in October 2022, he contacted Reporters Sans Frontières to help him escape.
His soon-to-be journey out of the country involved seven vehicle changes, eventually approaching the border on foot and hiding from patrols before finally crossing it.
our [last] The car got stuck in the mud,” he told the BBC, “and we had no mobile phone coverage – we tried to find our way to Tara. It was a very dangerous and stressful escape.”
Ovsanikova is now settled in Paris. He said he still fears for his life but believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is risking his leadership for the war in Ukraine:
“The people are living in this propaganda bubble, but the ruling class – who have lost their planes, their yachts, their money – understand everything. As Ukraine’s victory approaches, I believe the ruling establishment will present Putin with a big bill.”
Ovsannikova had previously been placed under house arrest and faced 10 years in prison after disrupting a live broadcast protesting her country’s invasion of Ukraine.
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