Jailed Russian punks Pussy Riot are using a cash grant from John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono to fund their fight for freedom.

Three members of the controversial group - Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich - are currently serving a two-year jail sentence for performing a protest song against President Vladimir Putin at a Moscow church in February (12).

Their case hit headlines around the world and sparked a campaign backed by stars including Madonna, Bjork, and Green Day.

Last month (Sep12), Ono announced the group is among the recipients of this year's (12) LennonOno Grant for Peace award for its pro-freedom stunts - and now it has emerged the cash prize will go towards funding the trio's legal battle.

In a post on Twitter.com on Friday (05Oct12), Lennon's widow writes, "The monetary prize for The LennonOno Grant for Peace for PussyRiot is being used to assist their release from prison."

Earlier on Friday, Lady Gaga was confirmed as another recipient of this year's award for her political activism.