A picture of Aleksandr Ovetshkin was published in Russia – posing at Vladimir Putin's camp

Washington Capitals captain Aleksandr Ovechkin appears in a campaign video related to the September Duma elections of Russia’s ruling party, United Russia.

According to the Russian Vedomosti newspaper, Ovechkin is part of a support group gathered around Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. United Russia has released videos featuring supporters alongside the party’s leading candidates.

In Lavrov’s support group, alongside Ovechkin, are RT’s editor-in-chief Margareta Simonián, deputy chairman of the Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee Vjatšeslav Nikonov, deputy head of Roscosmos Sergei Krikaljov, actor Vladimir Maškov, and singer Tatiana Kurtukova.

Ovechkin, one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, has faced criticism for his public support of Vladimir Putin for years. In 2017, he founded the Putin Team movement to show support for the Russian president.

After Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin spoke for peace but did not personally condemn Putin. Later, when asked about Putin, he stated that he is his president.

Ovechkin returned to the United States in September for the Washington Capitals’ training camp after spending a long summer in Russia.