Ovechkin’s Putin Ad Sparks Renewed Political Controversy

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has appeared in a campaign video supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party ahead of Russia’s nationwide parliamentary elections. The Capitals defended the NHL record-setting scorer, saying he was “asked by his country to participate” while he was in Russia during the summer. The team emphasized that Ovechkin’s focus remains on the upcoming NHL season and his role in Washington, DC. Ovechkin has long been an outspoken supporter of Putin. He founded the PutinTeam social movement in 2017 to back the president’s 2018 reelection campaign and continues to display a photograph of himself with Putin on his official Instagram account. His involvement in the latest campaign video has nevertheless attracted criticism because Russia’s war in Ukraine is entering its fifth year. United Russia is expected to retain its majority in the State Duma, although the tightly controlled election is viewed by the Kremlin as an indication of public sentiment about the war. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Ovechkin called for “no more war” but also said Putin was his president and that he was not involved in politics. In 2023, Capitals fans protested outside Capital One Arena and urged him to remove photographs of Putin from his social media profile. Czech former NHL star Dominik Hasek, a prominent critic of Putin, argued that Ovechkin’s public stance made him significantly responsible for the human cost of the conflict. Ovechkin, who is turning 41, has scored 929 goals in 1,573 NHL games. He signed a one-year, $4.25m contract in July to return to Washington for a 22nd season and has not said whether it will be his last.

Alex Ovechkin defended his decision to appear in a campaign advertisement for United Russia, the political party aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The commercial, which became public shortly before the Washington Capitals’ annual media day, shows Ovechkin standing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and former Soviet hockey star Viacheslav Fetisov. Ovechkin said he agreed to participate because he was asked, adding that he supports his country and is “for peace and love.” The appearance has renewed scrutiny of Ovechkin’s longstanding relationship with Putin. In 2017, Ovechkin launched the “Putin Team” social movement and said he supported the Russian president. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Ovechkin called for “no more war,” but also described Putin as his president while saying he was not involved in politics. Those statements have not satisfied critics such as Hall of Fame goalie Dominik Hasek, who has argued that Russian players should face consequences from the NHL and characterized Ovechkin’s latest commercial as support for the war. The Latvian foreign minister also announced that Ovechkin had been designated persona non grata and barred from entering Latvia, a NATO member bordering Russia. The NHL has not commented directly, leaving the matter to the Capitals. General manager Chris Patrick acknowledged that people were upset but said he was not sufficiently versed in geopolitical issues to say more. Ovechkin emphasized that he intends to remain in Russia after his playing career, where his children and family will live. He described Russia as his home and Washington, D.C., as his second home. Now 41, he has returned for a 22nd season with the Capitals after speculation that the previous season might have been his last. He said he is focused on training camp and remains uncertain about his future after the 2026-27 season.

Alexander Ovechkin, the Russian captain of the Washington Capitals, appeared in a campaign video supporting United Russia, the ruling party closely associated with President Vladimir Putin, ahead of Russia’s parliamentary elections. Ovechkin appeared silently among supporters behind Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. His participation drew criticism, including from Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych, who has publicly opposed Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The article places Ovechkin’s latest appearance within a long record of public support for Putin. In 2017, he launched PutinTeam, a group intended to support Putin’s 2018 presidential campaign, and he has used social media to promote messages aligned with the Kremlin’s portrayal of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ovechkin said Putin was still his president, while also describing himself as an athlete rather than a politician. He called for peace but stopped short of criticizing Russia’s military campaign. The Washington Capitals said Ovechkin had been asked by his country to take part in the video and emphasized his Russian citizenship, family ties, and focus on the upcoming NHL season. Ovechkin gave a similar explanation, saying, “They asked me to do this and I said yes.” He also expressed general hopes for peace and said Russia was his home. Away from politics, Ovechkin is preparing for his 22nd NHL season at age 41. He has scored 929 regular-season goals and is returning after considering retirement. Despite his age, he scored 32 goals in the previous season and hopes to help Washington compete for another Stanley Cup. The article concludes by contrasting uncertainty over the Capitals’ sporting prospects with the expectation that United Russia will win the parliamentary election.