Ovechkin Backs Putin’s United Russia in 2026 Election Ad
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 15
Ovechkin Backs Putin’s United Russia in 2026 Election Ad
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 15
Summary
Alexander Ovechkin appeared in a new United Russia campaign video ahead of Russia’s parliamentary election, lending NHL star power to the governing pro-Putin party.
In the ad, Ovechkin stands behind Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as Lavrov delivers a martial, rhyming message calling on Russians to stand united.
The appearance marks a renewed public political role after Ovechkin had largely stepped back since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when he called for peace but said Putin remained “my president.”
Ovechkin, the Capitals captain since 2005 and the NHL’s all-time leading scorer, previously launched “Putin’s Team” before Putin’s 2018 reelection bid.
The Washington Capitals said Ovechkin, a Russian citizen who spends offseasons in Moscow, was asked by his country to join the video and remains focused on the coming NHL season.