Virtus.pro bench ICY, promote b1st

Virtus.pro have moved AWPer Kaisar “ICY” Faiznurov to the bench and promoted 17-year-old Vladimir “b1st” Krasikov from VP.Prodigy to the main CS2 lineup, concluding ICY’s 10-month spell on the active roster. In announcing the move, the club added it is “open to exploring different options for the player’s future.” 

The organization confirmed b1st’s permanent promotion on October 20, listing a roster of fame, FL1T, Perfecto (IGL), tO0RO, and b1st, with F_1N as coach. 

Why now? Trial plans and recent setbacks

Virtus.pro originally intended to trial b1st at CS Asia Championships 2025 in place of ICY, but tournament rules around invited-team “core” players meant VP had to field ICY at the event. The team later exited the tournament on October 16.

This change follows a difficult stretch that included missing ESL Pro League in Stockholm after three players were turned away at the Swedish border over insurance issues—an incident ESL later ruled fell under “exceptional circumstances,” waiving penalties. 

It also caps a run of summer-to-autumn roster moves: Denis “electroNic” Sharipov was benched and later departed; academy standout Vadim “tO0RO” Arkov was promoted; and Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy assumed in-game leadership. 

What the team has said

When b1st was first lined up for a trial earlier this month, Virtus.pro’s statement explained the intent: “The decision was made together with the players and coaching staff: the team wants to test a new AWPer and give the young player an opportunity to prove himself on the international stage.”

Upon today’s benching announcement, the club thanked ICY “for his work and professionalism” and reiterated it is open to options regarding his future.

On the broader rebuild and leadership shift, Perfecto recently said after a close loss to MOUZ: “I know we can play much better,” underscoring belief in the new direction. He’s also discussed how taking the IGL role had been on the table in the past.

Who is b1st?

Krasikov has been VP.Prodigy’s top prospect in 2025 and arrives with promising early numbers: 1.17 HLTV rating over 37 maps at the time of promotion. 

Today’s Virtus.pro lineup

Petr “fame” Bolyshev

Evgenii “FL1T” Lebedev

Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy (IGL)

Vadim “tO0RO” Arkov

Vladimir “b1st” Krasikov

Coach: Ivan “F_1N” Kochugov