The key facts
- Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate added Ovechkin, Fetisov, Kovalenko, Bure, and Fedotov to the War & Sanctions database
- The athletes are accused of supporting Putin, participating in Putin Team, and advocating for Russian athletes' return to international competitions
- Fetisov refused to change his stance after being included in the list
Five hockey players in the Ukrainian intelligence database
Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin has been added to the database of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, along with four other Russian hockey players. The athletes are accused of supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and his policies; the relevant information has been published on the War & Sanctions portal, which is maintained by Ukrainian military intelligence, as reported by Life.ru. Besides Ovechkin, the list includes two-time Olympic champions Vyacheslav Fetisov and Andrey Kovalenko, forward Pavel Bure, and goaltender Ivan Fedotov. The players' profiles detail their achievements, public activities, and alleged ties to Russian authorities.
What accusations have been made against each individual
Ovechkin is accused of publicly supporting Putin, sharing a photo with the president on social media, visiting Crimea in 2015, and participating in the creation of the public movement Putin Team, which supported the Russian leader during the presidential elections. Fetisov faces accusations due to his political activities and advocacy for the return of Russian athletes to international competitions under their national flag and anthem. Bure is mentioned as a participant in the Putin Team movement and in hockey matches with the President of Russia. Kovalenko is accused of supporting Russian military personnel, while Fedotov was included in the list partly due to his military service and performances for CSKA.
Fetisov's response
Vyacheslav Fetisov responded to being added to the Ukrainian intelligence blacklist and refused to change his position regarding the participation of Russians in international tournaments. The two-time Olympic champion emphasized that he will continue to advocate for the return of domestic athletes to competitions under their national flag and anthem; according to him, such decisions by Kyiv will not affect his convictions.
