How esports professionals found safety and continued competing during Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis
Introduction: The Day Everything Changed
As the conflict in Ukraine intensified, we connected with gaming professionals compelled to abandon their homes seeking security and stability.
The global impact of Ukraine’s humanitarian emergency resonates worldwide. Accounts emerging from the region paint distressing pictures, yet numerous individuals work relentlessly to deliver hope and assistance to those impacted. Competitive gaming competitors and organizations have likewise been swept into this turmoil.
Yaroslav ‘isk’ Issakov, a Ukrainian Counter-Strike: Global Offensive specialist, was residing in Kyiv on February 24 when military operations commenced following extended tensions along national borders.
When initial strikes occurred, the resulting pressure waves proved so powerful they rattled door frames throughout his residence. Rapid verification through digital platforms confirmed the invasion had truly begun.
Yaroslav ‘isk’ Issakov: From Kyiv to Warsaw
nice wakeup with airport being airstriked
— isk (@iskCSGO) February 24, 2022
“Immediately, I recognized the distinctive characteristics of an explosive blast wave. Checking my mobile device revealed others reporting similar detonation experiences.”
The choice to depart Kyiv emerged almost instantly, with his family embarking on February 25. Though residing in Ukraine, Isk maintains British citizenship, granting exemption from mobilization restrictions preventing males aged 18-60 from exiting the nation. Without that passport documentation, he would probably remain in Ukraine currently.
Poland represented their target destination, featuring a short stop in the border metropolis of Lviv for a single evening with acquaintances. Obtaining exit routes proved relatively manageable – Isk’s relatives possessed vehicular transportation, and despite congested roadways, completing the 300-plus mile trek from Kyiv to Lviv within one day remained feasible.
The primary complication involved determining subsequent arrangements. During transit, Isk maintained communication with player representative Jérôme Coupez through WhatsApp. Coupez, establishing Prodigy Agency, secured placement at Kinguin Esports’ competitor complex in Warsaw – a training location for bootcamping professional gamers. Isk and his family simply needed to reach that destination.
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The automobile travel from Lviv to Warsaw covered approximately 250 additional miles. Coupled with a seven-hour delay at the Ukrainian-Polish frontier, the expedition proved stressful and exhausting. Nevertheless, Isk and his relatives ultimately accessed the Kinguin facility, receiving warm reception.
His family remained just one night before progressing toward more stable housing in Germany, though Isk continues in Warsaw. Amidst all developments, maintaining competitive participation represented his foremost concern. Previously serving as AWPer for British organization Into the Breach, he transitioned to bench status March 16 and actively pursues fresh opportunities while continuing gameplay from the Kinguin complex.
Aidyn ‘KrizzeN’ Turlybekov: The Harrowing Train Journey
Aidyn ‘KrizzeN’ Turlybekov, a professional CS:GO competitor from Kazakhstan, relocated to Kyiv five years earlier immediately following secondary education alongside his previous CS:GO squad AVANGAR, whose core members currently compete under Virtus.pro branding.
Witnessing the Russian leader’s address proclaiming impending invasion, coupled with audible detonations near his residence, signaled departure necessity.
“Following explosion audibility, we proceeded directly toward the railway station, yet substantial crowds already gathered there. While queuing for bus transport, warning sirens sounded, prompting relocation to my partner’s grandmother’s rural community temporarily.”
The couple evacuated their home so rapidly they omitted packing clothing items. After seven days in a small settlement near Kyiv, they returned urbanly attempting to board Lviv-bound rail transport, recognizing simpler international passage availability there.
Уехал из Украины в Польшу. Немного стыдно, что убегаю из страны, но не думаю, что находясь в Киеве сделал бы больше, чем отсюда. Не знаю, что буду делать в будущем, но мне максимально не хотелось уезжать. Я понял, что мой дом – это квартира в Киеве, хоть и съемная.
— Aidyn Turlybekov (@krizzencsgo) March 5, 2022
KrizzeN’s described railway expedition from Kyiv to Lviv proves deeply unsettling. He detailed carriage compartments overflowing with females and minors, noting “children vocalized distress, and universal thirst prevailed.” Whereas standard Kyiv-Lviv rail travel typically requires approximately five hours, he and his companion endured beyond ten hours confined within a single railway car.
Upon reaching Lviv, the couple obtained tickets for Poland-directed rail transport – another segment within an already demanding journey. In Kyiv, friends provided Jérôme Coupez’s contact information, indicating Coupez assisted securing Polish accommodations.
Similar to Isk, KrizzeN reached out to Coupez, who facilitated placement for both individuals at the Kinguin complex, where they presently reside.
However, this arrangement lacks permanence. Both have occupied the center exceeding fourteen days already, with subsequent plans incorporating another extensive journey, now targeting Germany. He and his partner maintain relatives currently in Germany, intending to reside familiarly until identifying more lasting solutions.
Until recently, KrizzeN provided CS:GO commentary with Maincast, a production studio delivering Russian-language coverage of premier global CS:GO and DOTA competitions. However, persistent sanctions targeting Russian enterprises jeopardize that employment stability.
Jérôme Coupez: The Facilitator of Hope
On Thursday February 24, player representative Jérôme Coupez tweeted about organizing housing for competitors unable to return Ukraine. He attended IEM Katowice during invasion commencement, supporting G2’s Audric ‘JACKZ’ Jug, represented by Prodigy Agency, which Coupez established.
If any player/ or anyone needs a place to stay or to play from because you can’t go back to Ukraine, do not hesitate to send me a message.
I will do my very best for us to welcome you and provide everything needed in our facilities or with our partners.
— Jérôme Coupez (@Jerome_Coupez) February 24, 2022
Reaction emerged immediately, with individuals throughout competitive gaming disseminating the communication and contributing available assistance.
That identical day, Coupez published another tweet, now seeking transportation providers from the Ukrainian-Polish boundary near Lviv toward Warsaw. There, Kinguin Esports Performance Center extended accessibility without charge, offering residence and support for displaced Ukrainian competitors and families.
A statement from KINGUIN pic.twitter.com/IR1ei8bvqq
— Kinguin.net 🎮 (@KinguinNet) March 3, 2022
For KrizzeN, Ukraine departure occurred so abruptly he couldn’t transport peripheral equipment for continued gameplay and training.
Peripheral producers Logitech, Xtrfy, and Razer all responded, supplying complimentary gear to all relocated competitors at the center enabling continued competition or practice, establishing normality amidst chaos.
I really want to cherish everyone who helps us support the players during this difficult time.
An immense thank you to @Xtrfy @LogitechGFrance & @Razer for providing the people we helped relocate with all the peripherals they needed, it means a lot♥
Kudos to @Xavier_Roussac👊 pic.twitter.com/hfpQxJAWH5
— Jérôme Coupez (@Jerome_Coupez) March 15, 2022
According to Coupez, the choice to extend assistance represented obvious necessity.
“This constitutes warfare, and I resided in Poland during commencement, extremely proximate to Ukraine… we maintain competitors and collaborators nationally, individuals I genuinely value and consider familial. I recognize my limited influence over political circumstances, yet I determined to identify assistance methods maximally.”
“That explains my initial establishment of a player representation agency – to provide support.”
Esports Community Unites
Competitive gaming certainly doesn’t represent an flawless sector. However, Ukraine’s humanitarian emergency demonstrates an industry protecting its members, exhibiting substantial compassion capacity.
Coupez concurs, crediting this benevolence to competitive gaming’s continuing compact ecosystem. “We maintain mutual familiarity,” he clarified, “and most gaming industry participants know individuals in Ukraine or adjacent territories.”
Ukrainian player support and solidarity proposals emerged instantly and extensively throughout competitive gaming circles. Not exclusively from Coupez and Prodigy personnel, but from organizations and persons globally.
We are heartbroken by what’s happening in Ukraine.
This morning, we received a request from a non-Liquid player stuck in another country who could not travel home. We will open our Netherlands apartments for him and any of our friends or colleagues in a similar situation.
— Victor Goossens (@LiquidNazgul) February 24, 2022
Team Liquid proposed housing for all stranded Ukrainian competitors within their Netherlands gaming facilities. EXCEL Esports produced limited “STOP THE WAR” sweatshirts, with entire proceeds directed toward Disasters Emergency Committee assisting displaced refugees.
FaZe Clan likewise generated limited blue and yellow hoodie editions, donating 100% of revenues to refugee assistance.
SK Gaming organized charitable League tournaments featuring European competitors and commentators, accumulating €3000 for multiple charities delivering ground-level aid. Countless gaming squads displayed blue and yellow logo variations on Twitter supporting Ukraine, with community fundraising events proliferating.
However modest, competitive gaming communities contribute力所能及地 to alleviate lives compelled to escape Ukraine’s conflict – whether through direct assistance and housing proposals or donations to pertinent charities.
The Changing Face of European Esports
Undeniably, this confrontation will radically transform European competitive gaming landscapes. Multiple Russia-based organizations faced tournament exclusion following European Union sanctions targeting Russian enterprises.
On March 11, Gambit Esports and Virtus.pro declared their CS:GO lineups would participate in ESL Pro League under neutral designations. The organizations encountered tournament prohibition due to associations with sanctioned Russian businesses. On March 14, Gambit announced their Valorant roster would similarly proceed for the 2022 Valorant Champions Tour.
pic.twitter.com/92rvyc8zKW
— Gambit Esports (@GambitEsports) March 11, 2022
Yet despite sanctions, tensions, and competition cancellations, competitive gaming supplied respite for European competitors. A semblance of regularity amidst one of history’s most frightening and unexpected situations.
As Ukrainian gaming icon Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev expressed during his IEM Katowice audience address, competitive gaming can “demonstrate exemplification” globally during these darkest periods. Compassionate actions by individuals like Coupez, coupled with resolve and competitive drive amidst tragedy from competitors like Isk and KrizzeN, epitomize competitive gaming communities’ finest qualities.
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