⁠Boombl4 removed from NAVI active CS:GO roster

Natus Vincere becomes yet another CS:GO team to make roster changes in the aftermath of the recent PGL Major Antwerp 2022. Yesterday, the Ukrainian team announced the removal of  Kirill “⁠Boombl4⁠” Mikhailov from the active NAVI line-up.

The decision came one week after NAVI lost the Grand Final of the PGL Major 2-0 to FaZe Clan. However, the reason for moving NAVI’s in-game-leader to the inactive roster is reportedly related to “high reputational risks for the club”, not to the Boombl4’s game performance.

Under fire 

The decision to remove Boombl4 from NAVI’s active roster is likely related to the criticism of Boobml4 and his wife Lika in recent weeks. Boombl4 came under fire as a result of multiple social media posts made by Lika seemingly supporting the Russian war in Ukraine.  

The posts included Lika’s selfie with a Russian flag painted on her cheek, a video of a military parade during the Victory Day in Russia and an alleged post claiming she and Boombl4 are planning to buy an apartment in Moscow. 

The latter would be in a conflict with the stance of the NAVI’s management, who previously publicly stated that the organization “is not going to work with people who live in Russia and who pay taxes to the Russian Federation”.  The org’s CEO Yevhen Zolotarov also acknowledged that  the Russian players on its CS:GO roster, including Boombl4, were “willing to relocate outside of Russia.”

Following the public reaction to Lika’s posts, Boombl4 released his statement on Telegram: 

“I’m sorry for being silent for so long about everything that’s going on, and for the inappropriate publications of my wife Lika. I’ve been in Ukraine on many bootcamps, never was discriminated against on any basis, and always felt myself at home.” 

 

“I’m sorry that part of my fellow citizens fully trusts TV, and that it’s hard for a lot of sane people including me to call things by their name. I understand that a lot of people won’t be satisfied by this message, but I want to say that I’m for peace and against bloodshed.” 

Goodbye after three years with NAVI

Boombl4 was a part of the NAVI CS:GO roster since May 2019, following his previous roles at Winstrikle Team and Quantum Bellator Fire. During his time as NAVI’s IGL, he led the team towards numerous prominent trophies, most recently at the BLAST Premier World Final 2021, PGL Major Stockholm 2021, Intel Grand Slam Season 3 and the ESL Pro League Season 14.

The complete roster for the upcoming BLAST Premier: Spring Finals is to be revealed at a later date. Boombl4’s no former teammate Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev shared his goodbye on Twitter. 

Header: ESL