# NHL superstar Ovechkin ‘was asked’ to film Putin ad, team says

https://mins.news/en/item/61846

- Al Jazeera, 2026-09-17 00:08 UTC
- Sports
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/17/nhl-superstar-ovechkin-was-asked-to-film-putin-ad-team-says?traffic_source=rss

> The Washington Capitals says Alex Ovechkin was asked by his country to appear in a campaign video for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. The longtime Putin supporter’s participation has drawn criticism as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

## Related coverage

- [Ovechkin draws criticism after appearing in United Russia election ad](https://mins.news/en/item/65572) — CNN, 2026-09-19
- [LIVE: NHL's Alex Ovechkin speaks at Washington Capitals media day](https://mins.news/en/video/62843) — Reuters, 2026-09-17
- [NHL superstar Alexander Ovechkin appears in United Russia campaign ad for Putin](https://mins.news/en/item/59409) — Meduza, 2026-09-15
