Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, appeared this month in a campaign video for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as the party sought votes in Russia’s parliamentary elections. The Washington Capitals confirmed the appearance and said their longtime captain “was asked by his country to participate” while he was in Russia over the summer, according to Al Jazeera. Reuters reported that the video, which aired ahead of this week’s elections, also showed retired Detroit Red Wings defenceman Viacheslav Fetisov alongside Ovechkin, per Reuters.