A US-based anchor for the Russia Today television network resigned live on air Wednesday in protest at the deployment of Russia-backed forces in Ukraine.

Liz Wahl said during a broadcast she could no longer work for a Moscow-funded network which she accused of "whitewashing" the actions of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"My grandparents came here as refugees during the Hungarian revolution, ironically to escape the Soviet forces," she said.

"Personally, I cannot be part of a network funded by the Russian government that whitewashes the actions of Putin.

"I'm proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth, and that is why, after this newscast, I am resigning."

The broadcaster's resignation comes after another host from RT, Abby Martin, criticized the actions of pro-Russian military units on her show.

Martin, the host of Russia Today's "Breaking The Set" announced towards the end of a broadcast that she was "strongly against" military intervention in Ukraine.

"What Russia did is wrong," she said.

The network responded by issuing a statement saying Martin "does not possess a deep knowledge of reality of the situation in Crimea."

"As such, we'll be sending her to Crimea to give her an opportunity to make up her own mind from the epicentre of the story," the network said.

Martin later wrote on Twitter that she would not be going to Crimea.