Petrossian explains Virtus.pro’s last-minute roster situation at CS2 Asia Championships 2025

Virtus.pro CEO Nikolai Petrossian detailed why the club couldn’t field academy AWPer Vladimir “b1st” Krasikov at the CS2 Asia Championships 2025 (Shanghai, Oct 14–19). He says the team had prior confirmations that replacing Kaisar “ICY” Faiznurov for the event would be within the rules—until tournament regulations were tightened just hours before the opener. The interview was published by Paragon Events CS2 Live RU and summarized by Cybersport. 

According to Petrossian, Virtus.pro cross-checked Valve’s rules with Perfect World’s event rulebook and “received around a dozen written and verbal assurances” that playing with b1st as a registered stand-in was permissible. However, after HLTV inquired with Valve and the organizer, an additional paragraph was inserted shortly before the start, forcing VP to use ICY. “We proceeded from the logic that if something isn’t explicitly prohibited, it’s permitted,” he noted, adding that the club flew ICY to Shanghai in case of such a scenario. 

HLTV independently reported that Perfect World confirmed Virtus.pro had to play the event with ICY due to Valve Regional Standings (VRS) requirements—teams must field at least three players who were part of the roster when the invite was issued. VP ultimately finished 7th–8th after losing the Group A lower-bracket final to 3DMAX. 

The timeline at a glance (verified)

Oct 1, 2025 — VP announces b1st will stand in for ICY at CAC 2025; the club stresses ICY is not benched and remains on the active roster. 

Oct 14 — HLTV: Perfect World confirms VP must play with ICY to satisfy VRS; ICY starts at the event. 

Oct 14–16 — VP exit groups (7–8th place), which the club confirms on its website. 

Oct 18 — VP announces Denis “electroNic” Sharipov leaves the club following a transfer agreement. 

Oct 20 — VP officially benches ICY and promotes b1st to the main roster ahead of IEM Chengdu 2025; roster listed: fame, FL1T, Perfecto (IGL), tO0RO, b1st; coach F_1N. HLTV runs a recap noting the failed CAC trial due to VRS. 

Context (earlier in 2025): Petrossian had already said changes would be made “if required,” after a disappointing Major run.