Natus Vincere is one of the best teams in the world in the tactical shooter Counterstrike: Global Offensive (Steam). The CS:GO team is based in Ukraine, but had three Russians on the roster, with whom they were very successful. However, the situation surrounding the war in Ukraine seems to be splitting the team: Captain Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhaylov (23) has to go. NAVI explicitly states that the separation has nothing to do with his performance in the game.
Which player is involved?
- Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhaylov was the in-game leader of Natus Vincere, he is considered “the brain” of the team. Natus Vincere also has s1mple, a Ukrainian who is regarded as the best CS:GO player in the world.
- Boombl4 is an experienced player in CS:GO: He has been a pro since 2016 and has earned over a million USD in prize money during his time. In 2021 alone, he took home $830,000: After all, Natus Vincere won several high-profile tournaments last year (via esportsearnings).
- The Russian has been with NAVI since May 2019, he became captain in September 2019 and has won many titles. Now, however, Boombl4’s career at NAVI is over.
The decision has nothing to do with his game
The team says: The team announces that they parted ways with Boombl4 after the Major in Antwerp. The team finished second there and earned $150,000.
It is said (via navi.gg):
The decision relates to the high reputational risk for the club; it is not a result of his game.
How they intend to replace Boombl4 will be announced later. There are no further official details.
The team’s top player, s1mple, said on Twitter somewhat resigned that this is just how the world works. He thanks the player and says: Without Boombl4, the team would not have achieved any of the successes they have achieved together.
Player has repeatedly called for peace, apologizes for his wife
What the player said earlier: Even though no one states it openly, the war by Russia in Ukraine appears to be behind the dismissal.
The captain had already said in a statement on May 5, weeks before his dismissal (via escorenews): He is sorry for being silent about everything for so long. He apologizes for the behavior of his wife, Lika.
The Russian states that he has often been in Ukraine, and has never faced discrimination. He is sorry that other citizens believed the television. It is hard for reasonable people like him to express things during this time.
He knows that many will not be happy with his message, but he wants to say that he stands for peace and against bloodshed.
He cannot say more right now.
– Ukraine live blog (via Zeit)
– War in Ukraine (via nzz)
– Solidarity with Ukraine (via Federal Foreign Office)
Important note: If you are troubled by dark thoughts due to the current situation: You are not alone. Please seek help. For example, through the telephone counseling service at 0800/111 0 111 or the online counseling service, where you can also use a chat. This is free and available nationwide.
What is believed to be behind this? Natus Vincere is a Ukrainian team: The team’s head has said he is not willing to work with Russian players who continue to live in Russia. The three Russian professionals from Natus Vincere have since agreed to leave their homeland.
However, it is unclear whether Boombl4 has rescinded this decision and therefore had to go.
It is known that Boombl4 has repeatedly called for peace since the war in Ukraine began. However, his wife has assured her support for Russia. She has shown herself on Instagram with the Russian flag on her face and Russian tanks in the background.
The site Sportskeeda suspects that the Ukrainian team NAVI may use this situation as a reason to part ways with Boombl4.
It is known that Russian citizens put themselves in personal danger when they speak critically about the war. Therefore, it is difficult for Russians living in Russia to position themselves clearly and critically about their country’s aggressive war in Ukraine, even if some in the West would wish for it:
