In 2014, Ovechkin called Ukrainians fascists, promoting the Putin’s narrative to legitimize his initial invasion of Donbas. Posted on 2022/03/11 by Carl Robitaille Fun fact.In 2014, Ovechkin called Ukrainians fascists, promoting the Putin's narrative to legitimize his initial invasion of Donbas.When I called him out, @CapitalsPR wrote me a nastygram, calling me "a smug fan and not a journalist" and threatening to yank my credentials.— Slava Malamud 🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@SlavaMalamud) February 28, 2022