The Ukrainian Sports Ministry recently published a list of athletes who violated the country’s travel laws by failing to return to Ukraine after the Counter-Strike BLAST Paris Major competition. The travel restrictions were imposed due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, with martial law banning male Ukrainian nationals aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. However, exceptions were made for athletes participating in sporting events, as long as they returned home after the competition. This article explores the details of the incident, the players involved, and the potential consequences they might face.
Violation of Travel Laws
The Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports released a list on May 26 containing the names of 236 athletes who failed to return to Ukraine as expected. Among them were seven professional CS:GO players who participated in the Counter-Strike BLAST Paris Major. These players include Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev, Volodymyr “Woro2k” Veletnjuk, and Serghij “DemQQ” Demchenko from the Monte team, as well as Arsenyj “cptkurtka023” Derevynskyj, Denys “amster” Ljashenko, Aleksei “alex666” Yarmoshchuk, and Mykhajlo “OWNER” Lymar from B8. Interestingly, Monte’s CEO, Dmytro Vovk, was also included on the list, raising further questions about the team’s actions.
Performance and Surprises at BLAST Paris Major
Monte, one of the participating teams in the BLAST Paris Major, surprised many by outperforming their fellow Ukrainian team, Natus Vincere, and securing a top-eight finish. B8, another Ukrainian team, competed in the European RMR A qualifier leading up to the main tournament but unfortunately was eliminated by Cloud9. These teams’ achievements put Ukrainian CS:GO on the map and garnered significant attention from fans and the esports community.
Apologies and Explanations
Following the release of the list, the Monte team issued an apology and provided an explanation for their actions in a statement on Telegram. They clarified that they had received clearance from the sports ministry to compete abroad until April 16 as part of the European RMR B qualifier. However, they chose to violate the travel restrictions and remain until the end of the BLAST Paris Major on May 21, when DemQQ and Woro2k finally returned. Sdy, another player from Monte, traveled to Poland for online ESL Challenger League games against Team Spirit Academy and Sprout but plans to return to Ukraine in a few days.
Monte’s statement emphasized their commitment to representing Ukraine and mentioned the team’s contributions to the country, such as raising awareness about the war and supporting the Armed Forces. They expressed regret to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for not returning on time and acknowledged the importance of timely compliance with travel regulations.
On the other hand, there has been no official statement from B8 regarding the inclusion of their players on the list. The whereabouts of Monte’s CEO, Dmytro Vovk, also remains undisclosed.
Uncertain Punishments and Future Implications
The specific consequences for the players who broke the travel rules are currently unclear. However, it is expected that future international travel for the listed athletes will be significantly more challenging. The Ukrainian Sports Ministry’s decision to name and shame these players reflects the seriousness of the violation and sends a strong message about the importance of adhering to travel regulations during times of war. The incident may have repercussions not only for the players involved but also for the teams they represent.
Monte’s next international LAN event is scheduled to be the ESL Pro League Season 18 in Malta, starting on August 30. It remains to be seen whether the team will face any sanctions or restrictions that could impact their participation in the event.
FAQs
How many athletes were named in the Ukrainian Sports Ministry’s list?
A total of 236 athletes were named in the list released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Who were the CS:GO players involved in the travel violation?
The CS:GO players who broke the wartime travel policy included Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev, Volodymyr “Woro2k” Veletnjuk, Serghij “DemQQ” Demchenko from Monte, and Arsenyj “cptkurtka023” Derevynskyj, Denys “amster” Ljashenko, Aleksei “alex666” Yarmoshchuk, Mykhajlo “OWNER” Lymar from B8.
What were the achievements of Monte and B8 in the BLAST Paris Major?
Monte surprised many by outperforming Natus Vincere and finishing in the top eight. B8 competed in the European RMR A qualifier but was eliminated by Cloud9.
What explanation did Monte provide for their actions?
Monte stated that they had been approved by the sports ministry to compete abroad until April 16 but chose to violate the travel restrictions and stay until the end of the BLAST Paris Major on May 21. They expressed regret for not returning on time and acknowledged their commitment to representing Ukraine.
What will be the consequences for the players who broke the travel rules?
The specific punishments for the players are currently unclear. However, it is expected that future international travel for the listed athletes will be significantly more challenging.
When is Monte’s next international LAN event?
Monte is scheduled to participate in the ESL Pro League Season 18 in Malta, starting on August 30.
Conclusion
The Ukrainian Sports Ministry’s revelation of athletes who violated wartime travel policies has caught the attention of the esports community. The inclusion of seven CS:GO players from the BLAST Paris Major has raised questions about their actions and potential consequences. Monte and B8, the teams involved, have responded differently to the situation, with Monte issuing an apology and B8 yet to release a statement. The incident highlights the importance of compliance with travel regulations during times of war and may have implications for the future international participation of the listed players. As the situation unfolds, the esports community awaits further updates on potential punishments and the impact on upcoming tournaments.