Key facts
- Alexander Ovechkin was asked to participate in a video campaign for Russia's United Russia party.
- Ovechkin appeared in a campaign ad standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- The Washington Capitals confirmed Ovechkin was asked to participate in the campaign while in Russia.
- Dominik Hasek criticized Ovechkin and Viacheslav Fetisov for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine through their appearance.
- Ovechkin previously formed a public movement supporting Vladimir Putin in 2017.
- Ovechkin called for peace in February 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Washington Capitals player Alexander Ovechkin was asked to participate in a video campaign for Russia's ruling United Russia party, which is backed by President Vladimir Putin, the team confirmed on Tuesday. Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, can be seen standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the political campaign ad. The appearance has drawn criticism, with Ovechkin facing scrutiny over his longstanding ties to Putin as Russia wages war in Ukraine. Russia was scheduled to hold parliamentary elections from September 18 to 20.
"Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there following his retirement. This summer, while in Russia, he was asked by his country to participate in a video campaign," Capitals spokesperson Sergey Kocharov said in a statement to Reuters. "As the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, D.C. and a pillar of the community, his focus and ours is on the season ahead and the continued impact he makes on the ice and in our city.”
Czech Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek criticized Ovechkin and former Russian hockey player Viacheslav Fetisov for appearing in the ad. "Everyone in this photograph has chosen to officially support Russia's imperialist war in Ukraine. Among them are also hockey player Ovechkin and former hockey player and national team captain Fetisov. Because of each of them, many Ukrainians and Russians will be killed," Hasek wrote on X.
Ovechkin, who led the Capitals to a Stanley Cup in 2018, formed a public movement in support of Putin in 2017. He called for peace in February 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, stating at the time, "He is my President. But I am not in politics. I am an athlete and I hope everything is going to be done soon."