{
  "id": 7599951,
  "title": "Capitals say Alex Ovechkin was asked to film United Russia ad while home this summer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/capitals-say-alex-ovechkin-was-asked-to-film-united-russia-ad-while",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T17:50:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/capitals-alex-ovechkin-asked-film-175045004.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Washington Capitals have revealed that their star player Alex Ovechkin was asked to feature in an advertisement for Vladimir Putin's United Russia party while he resided in Russia over the summer. Ovechkin, the team's longest-serving player and a beloved figure in the community, appeared in the video alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and fellow hockey legend Viacheslav \"Slava\" Fetisov. The advertisement sparked criticism on social media due to its perceived support for Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Notably, Ovechkin previously endorsed the Russian president in 2017 when he initiated a social movement called the \"Putin Team.\" In 2022, he expressed his desire for an end to the war when questioned about the situation. When asked about his relationship with Putin, Ovechkin stated, \"He's my president, but I'm not in politics. I'm an athlete.\" Ovechkin, who turns 41 this Thursday, surpassed Wayne Gretzky's goals record in April 2024, scoring his 929th goal in his career which began in 2005 after being drafted by the Capitals as the first overall pick in 2004.",
  "summary": "After NHL career goal-scoring leader Alex Ovechkin appeared in an ad for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party that came to light this week, the Washington Capitals said their long-time captain was asked to participate in the video campaign while back in his home country this summer. “Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Alex Ovechkin faces backlash over pro-Putin political campaign ad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/alex-ovechkin-faces-backlash-over-pro-putin-political-campaign-ad",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:15:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "NHL star Ovechkin appears in campaign video for Putin's party",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/nhl-star-ovechkin-appears-in-campaign-video-for-putins-party",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:36:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}