Russia Allowed Back to Ice Hockey World Championships

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled that Russian teams must be allowed to participate in international ice hockey events, including the World Championships. This decision comes after Russia was excluded from tournaments following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The International Ice Hockey Federation, which initially banned Russia, has expressed disappointment with the ruling. The return of Russian teams raises questions about the fate of Ukraine's spot in the 2027 World Championship, as the IIHF rules dictate that returning teams must take the place of the team that finished second in Division I and gained promotion to the elite level. Ukraine, which qualified for the elite division for the first time in 20 years, may be affected by this decision.