A Russian court has handed down an eight-and-a-half-year jail sentence to fugitive former TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who opposed the country's invasion of Ukraine.

The court in Moscow convicted Ovsyannikova in absentia on Wednesday. It said she spread false information on the military's activities.

While working for state-run Channel One in March last year, Ovsyannikova became known around the world for her protest during a live news program. She held a sign reading "No War."

Ovsyannikova was indicted on charges of spreading fake news, and put under house arrest.

A report said in October last year that she had fled the country with her family. She issued a statement on social media claiming her innocence.

Ovsyannikova held a news conference in Paris in February. She said Russia's criminal activity was getting more brutal as the fighting continued with no sign of ending. She also said the war must end with a total victory for Ukraine or there won't be any future for Russia.