Russian business newspaper Vedomosti has published images from the video in which Ovechkin is seen together with, among others, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, The Guardian writes.
Ovechkin is a staunch Putin supporter. Before the 2017 presidential election, he helped create “Team Putin,” a propaganda team for the president.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ovechkin has come under heavy criticism for his relationship with Putin.
He is my president, but I am not part of politics, I am an athlete, Ovechkin said according to Expressen.
40-year-old Ovechkin - the NHL's all-time leading scorer - has a contract with Washington for one more season.
