Russia Defeats U.S. in Moscow Ice Hockey Match Aimed at Normalizing Ties

Russia defeated the United States 10-6 in an inaugural ice hockey match that organizers hoped would help thaw bilateral relations frozen since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian media reported.

The match took place on Wednesday at the Kristall ice palace within Moscow's Luzhniki Olympic Complex. Organized by the chambers of commerce of both countries, the invite-only event was held at a small venue capped at 500 spectators, according to Sports.ru.

"This game will become part of a wider business dialogue," Russian presidential aide Anton Kobyakov said ahead of the puck drop.