International🌐 Available in EnglishSeptember 16, 2026
NHL star Alexander Ovechkin campaigns for pro-Putin party in new ad
Washington Post
Washington Post
Original Source
Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin appeared in a campaign advertisement for United Russia, the governing pro-Putin party, leveraging his NHL star power to endorse the political forces behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The appearance comes ahead of Russia's first parliamentary elections since the 2022 invasion.
Washington Capitals star star Alexander Ovechkin campaigns for pro-Putin party in new ad - The Washington Post
Accessibility statement
Democracy Dies in Darkness
Save and subscribe
Sign in
Democracy Dies in Darkness
The 7 logo
The 7
LIVE
NHL star Alexander Ovechkin campaigns for pro-Putin party in new ad
Russia this weekend holds its first parliamentary elections since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
September 15, 2026 at 2:39 p.m. EDT
Today at 2:39 p.m. EDT
*The Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin in 2017. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)*
By
Mary Ilyushina
Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin appeared in a campaign video for United Russia, the country’s governing party, which supports President Vladimir Putin — using his National Hockey League star power to endorse the political forces responsible for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Company
* About The Post * Newsroom Policies & Standards * WP Creative Group * Workforce Demographics * Careers * Media & Community Relations * Accessibility Statement
Sections
* Trending * Politics * Elections * Opinions * U.S. News * World * Style * Sports * Business * Climate * Well+Being * D.C., Md., & Va. * Obituaries * Weather * Arts & Entertainment * Recipes
Get The Post
* WP Intelligence * Enterprise Subscriptions * Manage Your Subscription * Become a Subscriber * Gift Subscriptions * Mobile & Apps * Newsletters & Alerts * Washington Post Live * Reprints & Permissions * Post Store * Books & E-Books * Print Archives (Subscribers Only) * Today’s Paper * Public Notices * Crosswords & Games * Download on iOS * Download on Android
Contact Us
* Contact the Newsroom * Contact Customer Care * Contact the Opinions Team * Advertise * Licensing & Syndication * Request a Correction * Send a News Tip * Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
* Digital Products Terms of Sale * Print Products Terms of Sale * Terms of Service * Privacy Policy * Cookie Settings * Submissions & Discussion Policy * RSS Terms of Service * Sitemap * Ad Choices * Your Privacy Choices
* WP Intelligence * Ask The Post AI * WP Creative Group * Workforce Demographics * Careers * Media & Community Relations * Accessibility Statement
* Trending * Politics * Elections * Opinions * U.S. News * World * Style * Sports * Business * Climate * Well+Being * D.C., Md., & Va. * Obituaries * Weather * Arts & Entertainment * Recipes
* WP Intelligence * Enterprise Subscriptions * Manage Your Subscription * Become a Subscriber * Gift Subscriptions * Mobile & Apps * Newsletters & Alerts * Washington Post Live * Reprints & Permissions * Post Store * Books & E-Books * Print Archives (Subscribers Only) * Today’s Paper * Public Notices * Crosswords & Games * Download on iOS * Download on Android
* Contact the Newsroom * Contact Customer Care * Contact the Opinions Team * Advertise * Licensing & Syndication * Request a Correction * Send a News Tip * Report a Vulnerability * Download the Washington Post App
* About The Post * Policies & Standards * Digital Products Terms of Sale * Print Products Terms of Sale * Terms of Service * Privacy Policy * Cookie Settings * Submissions & Discussion Policy * RSS Terms of Service * Sitemap * Ad Choices * Your Privacy Choices