Notice the emblem on the helmet. Photo via International Ice Hockey Federation
This article originally appeared on VICE Canada.
While Hockey Canada had a partnership with a Canadian Tire kids charity, the Russian national junior hockey team—in what almost feels like a throwback to the Cold War—had helmets emblazoned with the symbol of the largest arms exporter in the country.
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Rosoboronexport, a subsidiary of the Rostec State Corporation, the same company that counted Bashar al Assad, the Iranian regime, and the late Muammar Qaddafi, before his ouster, as clients—had its text emblem streaked across the helmets of the young Russian hockey players.
One of Rosoroboronexport’s company taglines. Image via Rosoroboronexport
The final, between the two hockey superpowers, likely attracted millions of viewers who no doubt saw the white and blue corporate etching atop the red Russian helmets. The team wore the same advertisement throughout the tournament beginning in late December.
Rosoboronexport advertises itself as “the sole state exporter of defense products, technologies and services,” selling arms in over 70 countries accounting for 80 percent of Russia’s overall arms exports. The company complies with all UN arms control treaties and in 2014 its CEO said Rosoboronexport did $13.2 billion in business.
The company, known for its mortars, fighter jets, and rocket propelled grenades, is also a major sponsor of Russian hockey, pumping millions into the popular sport in the petroleum rich state.
“Rosoboronexport is the Official Partner of the Russian Hockey Federation and the Official Partner of the Russian men’s national ice hockey team,” said General Director Anatoly Isaykin in a company release on its website from 2014.
Last year, the company congratulated the 2014 World Championship winning senior men’s team, heralding the Russian victory as proof of the success of its “investments in infrastructure development, holding children and youth tournaments.”
The Rosoboronexport hockey sponsorship comes on the heels of several high-profile sanctions against Russian arms sales worldwide. The European Union imposed a full arms embargo against all future contracts with Russian firms in the summer, while the US banned imports of the popular AK-47 assault rifle.
At the same time, Russia entered into a heated standoff with France after Rosoboronexport signed a deal for Mistral class assault ships due at the end of 2014. The deal is suspended indefinitely over Russia’s ongoing support of armed Ukrainian rebel groups.
But Russia’s largest arms exporter evaded American sanctions, as the Washington Post reported, after signing deals with the Pentagon to aid its ongoing presence in Afghanistan.
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