Virtus.pro has announced a significant change to its Counter-Strike 2 lineup, benching Kaisar “ICY” Faiznurov and promoting Vladimir “b1st” Krasikov from its academy team. The move ends ICY’s ten-month stint on the main roster and ushers in a new chapter for the organization as it continues to seek consistent results in the CS2 era.
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A Short-Lived Tenure for ICY
ICY joined Virtus.pro in December 2024 as part of a roster overhaul that also brought in Timur “FL4MUS” Marev, replacing long-standing members like Dzhami “Jame” Ali and David “n0rb3r7” Danielyan.
However, the Kazakh AWPer never quite found his footing in the lineup. Over his time with Virtus.pro, ICY maintained an average HLTV rating of 1.02, but the team’s overall performance was not good enough. Their best showing came at IEM Katowice 2025, where they finished 5th–6th — a respectable result but far from the top-tier finishes Virtus.pro has aimed for.
b1st Steps Up
At just 17 years old, Vladimir “b1st” Krasikov represents the next wave of CIS talent. Having been a standout in Virtus.pro’s academy system, he’s already drawn attention for his 1.17 rating across 37 maps, displaying sharp mechanics and confident decision-making.
Virtus.pro had reportedly intended to test b1st at the CS Asia Championships 2025, but tournament roster rules — requiring at least three players from the original invite list — prevented the debut.
b1st is expected to take over ICY’s role as AWPer, bringing a new dynamic to Virtus.pro’s setup.
What’s Next and What This Means for Virtus.pro
Virtus.pro’s shift towards youth means some gamble. Fans won’t have to wait long to see how the change plays out. Virtus.pro will debut their new roster at IEM Chengdu 2025, kicking off on November 3, where b1st will make his first appearance on the main stage. The tournament will be a crucial early indicator of whether this roster shuffle can reignite Virtus.pro’s competitive fire — or if further adjustments lie ahead. b1st’s debut will be watched closely — his first few matches could define whether this change revitalizes the roster or continues their inconsistency.
Short-term, Virtus.pro may face growing pains as the lineup adjusts to a new dynamic.
However, the addition of a promising 17-year-old AWPer could lay the foundation for a new era in the organization’s CS2 legacy.
For now, Virtus.pro fans will be hoping that the risk pays off — and that the team can recapture the spark that once made them one of the most feared names in Counter-Strike.
Virtus.pro’s current CS2 roster is as follows:
- Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy
- Petr “fame” Bolyshev
- Evgenii “FL1T” Lebedev
- Vadim “tO0RO” Arkov
- Vladimir “b1st” Krasikov
