Live Broadcast 'Anti-War' Protest... Putin's Ruthless Crackdown on 'Anti-War Protests' Until When

Interrupted broadcast shouting "Stop the war"
Thousands arrested but protests continue
Former CIA agent "Putin fears threat of ousting"
"If Russian people revolt, it could become more dangerous"

A woman who stormed into the Russian state-owned channel 'Channel One' news / Photo by CNN

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "Do not believe incitement and propaganda. They are lying to you."

On the 14th (local time), during a live evening news broadcast on Russia's state-owned channel 'Channel One,' a woman stormed the filming site holding a placard with the phrase 'No War.' The woman’s name is Marina Ovsyannikova, an employee of Channel One. Ovsyannikova was reportedly detained by Russian authorities immediately after the protest intrusion.

Since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on the 24th of last month, anti-war sentiment has been rising within Russia as well. Citizens have been gathering in squares or staging spontaneous solo protests, continuously raising their voices of resistance.

However, the government led by Russian President Vladimir Putin is ruthlessly suppressing them. Experts fear that President Putin is afraid of being assassinated by someone else after losing power, which could bring catastrophic consequences not only to his own people but also to Ukraine.

◆Thousands Arrested Yet Anti-War Protests Surge in Russia

Just before the protest intrusion, Ovsyannikova posted a video on her social media account. In the video, she revealed, "My father is Ukrainian and my mother is Russian," and "Unfortunately, I have worked at Channel One for the past few years, helping Kremlin (Russian government) propaganda. I am ashamed."

She continued, "I am ashamed of lying on TV screens and turning Russian people into zombies," and "It all started in 2014 (Russia’s annexation of Crimea), and we were silent. We did not protest when the Kremlin tried to poison Navalny (Russian opposition leader), and we just watched this inhumane regime. Now the world is turning its back on us," she lamented.

On the 14th, Ovsyannikova stormed the Channel One broadcast site holding an anti-war placard and shouted slogans. Her voice saying "No war! Stop the war!" was broadcast live.

A participant in the anti-war rally held on the 24th of last month at Pushkin Square in Moscow, Russia, is being detained by the police. / Photo by Yonhap News

Following this broadcast incident, Ovsyannikova was immediately detained. Channel One and Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency later issued statements saying, "An external woman intruded causing the incident. An internal investigation is underway." Russia’s recently enacted 'fake news law' allows for up to 15 years imprisonment for those spreading false news about the Russian military.

Despite the Russian authorities’ harsh crackdown on citizens, the movement of people raising anti-war voices has not subsided. According to the British media 'The Guardian,' anti-war protests have been held one after another in major Russian cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg since the invasion began on the 24th of last month.

Statements condemning the war have also continued from various sectors. Over 6,000 medical professionals, more than 3,400 architects and engineers, and about 500 teachers jointly issued statements calling for an end to the war.

Famous figures have also delivered anti-war messages. Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev, who won the international tennis tournament 'US Open,' said in an interview, "As a tennis player, I have traveled to many countries around the world and have come to wish for peace everywhere," adding, "It is hard to hear about the Russian military’s invasion."

Russian national singer Valery Meladze also appealed, "Something that should never have happened has happened. This incident will be judged by history, but please stop the war today."

Citizens are risking their lives and freedom to oppose the government. This is because the Russian government arrests and detains anyone seen participating in anti-war protests immediately. According to data released by the Russian anti-war civic group 'OVD-Info,' from the 24th to the 26th of last month, just three days, 3,039 people were arrested for participating in 'anti-war rallies.'

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia / Photo by Yonhap News

◆Putin Growing More Ruthless... "Fears Losing Control Over the Nation"

Why does President Putin push forward with the war while suppressing citizens? Experts speculate that he fears the 'downfall of a failed dictator.'

Douglas London, a veteran CIA intelligence officer with over 34 years of service, wrote in an opinion piece for the US media 'CNN,' "As an intelligence expert who has observed Russia for a long time, I do not think he (President Putin) is insane," adding, "Putin’s motivation likely stems from concerns about the threats he perceives. He believes that if he does not respond appropriately to these threats, he will be destroyed."

London pointed out that the death of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed in a sewer near his hometown Sirte in 2011, may have left a 'fear' impression on President Putin. Gaddafi was mocked by his own people before being killed, which London called "Putin’s worst nightmare." In other words, President Putin is most afraid of losing control over the Russian people and being ousted.

London predicted, "The intensification of anti-war protests on the streets will weaken Putin’s power domestically," and "If the Russian people feel 'there is nothing to lose even if they revolt' and rise up, it will be a serious long-term consideration for Putin."

However, he warned, "When he realizes he is in trouble and feels there is no place to retreat, he becomes more terrifying and dangerous," adding, "Russia could produce terrible outcomes in this game (war)."

Some reports consider the possibility of 'Putin’s health abnormalities.' According to major foreign media such as 'The Guardian' and 'The Telegraph,' Western Russia experts say that President Putin has recently exhibited "paranoid behavior, including persistent specific delusions." Such paranoia could be due to illnesses like dementia or Parkinson’s disease, which might have noticeably impaired Putin’s judgment.

Meanwhile, as clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces continue, the leadership of both sides is conducting ceasefire negotiations. On the 15th, the fourth round of talks lasted about six hours, and although there are still 'fundamental differences,' it is reported that some room for compromise is gradually being secured.

Mikhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office and head of the Ukrainian negotiation team, tweeted, "It is a very difficult and persistent negotiation process," but evaluated, "Although there are fundamental contradictions, there is definitely room for compromise."

Igor Zhovkva, an advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office, also said, "Negotiations with Russia have become somewhat more constructive," and "The Russian side is no longer demanding Ukraine’s surrender," he conveyed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.