Auckland woman Antonina Ovchinnikova has raised tens of thousands of dollars for volunteer units in the Russian military, which has illegally invaded UkraineThe Auckland woman under police investigation for fundraising tens of thousands of dollars for the Russian army has left New Zealand for Russia. Abigail Dougherty/Stuff Auckland woman Antonina Ovchinnikova has used her Telegram following to raise tens of thousands of dollars for Russian volunteer units currently illegally invading Ukraine. DAVID WHITE/STUFF Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister Andrew Little comment on Antonina Ovchinnikova, an Auckland woman raising money to aid Russia in their invasion of Ukraine. Ovchinnikova has denied handling money going to Sberbank or other Russian banks sanctioned by New Zealand as part of the fundraising. Since May, Ovchinnikova has also asked her 23,000 followers to donate money for the purchase of specific gear for volunteer Russian army units that are in Ukraine.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 06, 2022 03:04 UTC