Ukraine Protests Israel Over Russian Hockey Legends Match in Ashdod
The Ukrainian Embassy in Israel has filed an official protest against a planned hockey match featuring Russian officials in Ashdod. Kyiv warns that Moscow will exploit the event for international propaganda despite ongoing military aggression.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Israel has issued a formal letter of protest to Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar over a high-profile hockey match scheduled in Ashdod. The event, titled "Russian Hockey Legends versus Israel Stars," is set to take place at the Blue Ice Arena to mark 35 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Russia.
Concerns Over Sanctions and Propaganda
Kyiv has raised deep concerns that Moscow will exploit the sporting exhibition to portray a return to international normalcy while its military campaign in Ukraine continues. Signed by Deputy Head of Mission Hennadii Breskalenko, the letter urges Israeli authorities to thoroughly vet the participants, funding sources, and potential ties to Russian government bodies.
Special attention was drawn to the expected participation of Vyacheslav Fetikov, a former hockey star and member of the Russian parliament who is currently subject to international sanctions. Although European Union and United States sanctions do not automatically apply under Israeli jurisdiction, the embassy maintains that hosting sanctioned figures warrants strict legal and political scrutiny.
Five-Point Review Demanded
The formal communication does not explicitly demand the cancellation of the match, but outlines a five-point review request for Israeli authorities. These include examining the identity of organizers and sponsors, financial backing, participant sanction statuses, and the broader political repercussions of the gathering.
Ukrainian officials fear that state-controlled Russian media will manipulate the event to claim that Moscow's diplomatic isolation is weakening. Following a previous meeting between Ukrainian Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk and Minister Zohar, Kyiv insists that preventive measures must be taken to stop the platform from being leveraged for Kremlin propaganda.
