“I’m Enemy No. 1 Here Now”

Russian TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova protested Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine live on the primetime news of state broacaster Channel One. In an interview, she explains how that moment changed her life and her fears of what might come next.

When Marina Ovsyannikova calls on the phone, she quickly starts talking. The 43-year-old says she’s been able to rest for a few hours after almost two days with no sleep. She seems a bit scattered – a second phone keeps ringing in the background, calls that she rejects. "One second, it's just a lot right now."

On Monday, Ovsyannikova protested against Putin’s operation in Ukraine – and not just anywhere, but live during the primetime evening news in the studio of Channel One. The state broadcaster is one of the most viewed in the country. Ovsyannikova has been an editor at the station since 2003. In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, she talks about her work for the state propaganda apparatus, the years of lies, the suppression – and her fears of what will come next.

DER SPIEGEL: How are you doing?

Ovsyannikova: More or less well. I am with friends, hiding. I feel a huge amount of stress, and that’s not going to go away. My life has changed forever, and I’m just beginning to realize that. I can’t go back to my old life. (Exhales deeply) I’m really worried about my children now, my son, who is 17, and my daughter, 11. I take tranquilizers. They aren’t with me here – they’re in Moscow in safety. We will stay in Russia and continue living here.

DER SPIEGEL: French President Emmanuel Macron has offered you asylum. Are you thinking about leaving?

Ovsyannikova: No, I don't want to leave our country. I am a patriot, and my son is an even greater one. We definitely don’t want to leave or emigrate anywhere.

DER SPIEGEL: What did your family say about your protest action?

Ovsyannikova: It was a deep blow for them. My mother is still in shock, she’s completely exhausted. My son has been very affected by all this – he’s going through a difficult phase at his age, anyway. He accused me of destroying all our lives.

DER SPIEGEL: How are you dealing with that?

Ovsyannikova: We're still talking to each other, but it is very difficult for me psychologically. I’m between the fronts. My family isn’t really supporting me. On top of that is the official public opinion, which is against me and a growing confrontation in society, which is divided between those who support the war and those who oppose it.

DER SPIEGEL: You speak of "war." The word is banned here in Russia – Putin just tightened the laws, and his operation in Ukraine must now be called a "special military operation." Are you afraid of the consequences?

Ovsyannikova: Of course I’m afraid, very afraid even. I’m a human being, after all. Anything could happen – a car accident, anything they want. I’m aware of that. But that is my position as a citizen: What we are dealing with here is war. Make no mistake, I have already passed the point of no return. I can now speak openly and publicly like this.

DER SPIEGEL: Still, there is a law on the books against supposed fake news that says: Anyone who published false information about the Russian armed forces and their actions faces heavy fines and, in the worst case, several years in prison. The Investigative Committee, a law enforcement agency that reports directly to Putin, has already opened an investigation into you. Are you expecting severe punishment?

Ovsyannikova: No criminal proceedings have been initiated against me yet – they are reviewing whether there are grounds for them. Of course, I have heard that high-ranking representatives of the leadership have demanded that criminal proceedings be initiated against me. At the moment, I have been issued with a fine of 30,000 rubles (Eds: the equivalent of around 265 euros). If I didn’t have children to take care of, I would certainly have received 15 days of detention, and I would be sitting in a cell like many others. I don’t know how this will develop.