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'I'm Russian, and I Support My Country,' Ovechkin Says After Appearing in Campaign ad for Putin's Party
Ovechkin said he accepted the request without hesitation and was surprised by the backlash after a campaign video featured more than 30 Putin supporters.
- On Thursday, NHL career goal-scoring leader Alex Ovechkin addressed his appearance in a United Russia campaign video, telling ESPN he accepted the government's request without hesitation and supports his native country.
- In the campaign video that aired earlier this month, Ovechkin stands with United Russia supporters as Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov delivers a monologue warning anyone who comes at Russia "with a sword" to "expect no mercy: we will rise together, as we do today."
- Capitals general manager Chris Patrick told ESPN he would have "worked to avoid the situation" had Ovechkin informed the team before signing his one-year, $4.25 million contract extension in July.
- Ovechkin's appearance drew international condemnation amid a conflict resulting in more than 1 million military and civilian casualties. Ukrainian authorities have accused the Russian military of murdering more than 17,000 civilians, including more than 700 children.
- This appearance follows a history of political involvement, including a 2014 social media post reading "#SAVE CHILDREN FROM FASCISM." In 2022, the NHL noted Russian players face an "extremely difficult position" regarding what they can say about the conflict.
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11 Articles
11 Articles
"This is another example of how Russia exploits athletes for its propaganda," says Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified at the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet with pictures of deceased Ukrainian compatriots.
·Borås, Sweden
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NHL player Alexander Ovechkin has helped promote Vladimir Putin's party in the run-up to the Russian election.
·Aarhus, Denmark
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'I'm Russian, and I support my country,' Ovechkin says after appearing in campaign ad for Putin's party
"I'm Russian, and I support my country. So, as I said, I'm for peace and love," Russian hockey player Alexander Ovechkin said after appearing in a campaign ad for the United Russia party.
·Kyiv, Ukraine
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"I am Russian and I support my country," said Thursday the capitals' star attacker.
·Montreal, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Right
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Right
43% Right
L 29%
C 28%
R 43%
Factuality
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