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‘I’m Russian’: NHL star Ovechkin defends Putin ad appearance

Written and edited by the WorldPing NewsdeskPublished Updated Original reporting: Al Jazeera

What happened

Washington Capitals captain under fire for appearing in an election campaign video for Putin's United Russia party.

Key facts

  • Reported by Al Jazeera and published Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:02:20 UTC.

Why it matters

International stories like this one shape diplomacy, travel, energy supply and security decisions well beyond the country involved, which is why WorldPing tracks every update on it in one place.

What to watch next

  • Official statements or denials from the governments named
  • Whether other major newsrooms confirm the same details
  • Any follow-up decision, vote or deadline tied to the event

Coverage timeline

When each newsroom published on this story, oldest first — all times UTC.

  1. Russian attack on Ukraine's capital injures at least 16

  2. ‘I’m Russian’: NHL star Ovechkin defends Putin ad appearance

Sources

The original report was published by Al Jazeera. WorldPing does not claim that reporting — this page summarises and contextualises it.

Read the full report at Al Jazeera

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ESPN

Ovechkin on Putin video appearance: I support Russia, 'not pro-war'

Alex Ovechkin is drawing criticism after appearing in a TV ad for Vladimir Putin's political party, but the NHL's career goal-scoring leader said he only "supports what's happening in Russia" and hopes the war with Ukraine will end soon.

Brief by WorldPing · Original reporting by ESPN