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Alex Ovechkin appeared in an advertisement for United Russia, a party aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his off-season. When asked about it at Washington Capitals’ media day, Ovechkin stated he supports his country and hopes for peace and love globally. He also confirmed his intention to live in Russia after retiring from the NHL, emphasizing that Russia is his home while DC remains a significant part of his life.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer and star of the Washington Capitals, appeared in a campaign ad for the pro-Putin United Russia party during his off-season in Russia. In the video, he is seen alongside other prominent supporters like Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and retired Soviet hockey star Viacheslav Fetisov.
Ovechkin has been a long-time supporter of President Putin, launching the social movement “Putin Team” in 2017 to unite people who are proud of their country and want to strengthen Russia. Despite criticism following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin remains cautious but supportive, stating that his president is "my president." The ad aired as part of United Russia's effort to retain its majority in the State Duma during parliamentary elections from September 18 to 20.
The Washington Capitals confirmed Ovechkin’s participation and stated it will not impact his on-ice performance, emphasizing that his focus remains on the upcoming NHL season.
Written for “Ovechkin Putin Ad Controversy” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.35 for article 17054 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-18
Alex Ovechkin says he's 'for peace and love' after appearing in ad for Putin-aligned party
'I'm Russian, and I support my country,' NHL star says
Alex Ovechkin says he's "for peace and love" after the Russian hockey star appeared in an ad for a party aligned with President Vladimir Putin during the off-season.
asserted
star → say → season
The video for the United Russia party came to light this week, days before Ovechkin's Washington Capitals held their annual media day Thursday.
asserted
Capitals → come → day
The NHL's career goal-scoring leader is back with the Capitals for a 22nd season.
asserted
leader → score → season
Ovechkin is seen in the commercial standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
asserted
Ovechkin → see → Lavrov
Longtime Soviet hockey star Viacheslav Fetisov also participated.
asserted
Fetisov → participate → ?
"I'm Russian, and I support my country," Ovechkin said Thursday from Arlington, Va. "I'm for peace and love, and I hope in the world it doesn't matter who you are, I hope everybody understands everybody wants peace, and everybody hope everything's going to be OK in the world."
asserted
everything → support → world
Ovechkin said he did not hesitate to participate in the ad.
asserted
he → say → ad
"They asked me to do that.
asserted
They → ask → that
I say yes," he said.
asserted
he → say → ?
Ovechkin previously voiced support for the Russian president in 2017 when he started a social movement called the "Putin Team."
asserted
he → voice → movement
At the time, he told reporters from the AP and The Washington Post, "I just support my country.
asserted
I → tell → country
'No more war,' Ovie pleaded in 2022
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Ovechkin said, "Please, no more war," when asked about the situation.
asserted
Ovechkin → plead → situation
Asked then about his relationship with Putin, Ovechkin said: "He's my president, but I'm not in politics.
asserted
I → ask → politics
Russia's parliamentary election this week features United Russia, plus nine others that all support Putin's policies.
asserted
that → feature → policies
The only party that opposed the war in Ukraine has been barred from the ballot.
asserted
that → oppose → ballot
Ovechkin, who turned 41 on Thursday, confirmed he plans to live in Russia when he retires from the NHL.
asserted
he → turn → NHL
"I'm going to stay there.
asserted
I → go → ?
I'm going to live there, my kids are going to live there, family.
asserted
kids → go → ?
So, I'm for peace and love, and I hope everything's going to be OK," Ovechkin said.
asserted
Ovechkin → hope → peace
I have lots of friends.
asserted
I → have → friends
“I grew up here as a person and I love DC.
asserted
I → grow → DC
So I hope everything's going to be OK, and how I said — peace and love for everybody."
asserted
I → hope → everybody
There was speculation last season would be Ovechkin's last, but he chose to stay with the Capitals for at least another year, and he remains noncommittal about what the future might hold after 2026-27.
uncertain
future → be → 2026
"I'm focusing right now on training camp," Ovechkin said.
asserted
Ovechkin → focus → camp
"I have to make the team."
asserted
I → have → team
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