Virtus.pro cuts Dota 2 roster after missing TI 2026 for third straight year
The Russian org disbanded the international lineup of Fly, Abed, Timado, and company after a season of disappointing results, but says it is staying in Dota 2.
Three Years Running
Virtus.pro has officially disbanded its Dota 2 roster following The International 2026, closing the book on a difficult season that ended without the organization reaching the year’s most prestigious tournament for the third consecutive time. The news was reported by Dot Esports on August 24.
In a statement, the Russian org was candid about the reasoning. “We appreciate the work the team has put in during this time, but believe that changes are necessary in the current situation. Therefore, the club has decided to part ways with the current roster,” VP said, as quoted by Dot Esports.
The disbanded lineup featured a recognizable set of names: carry Enzo “Timado” Gianoli, mid laner Abed Azel “Abed” Yusop, offlaner Jonáš “SaberLight” Volek, soft support Kirill “Hellscream” Lagutik, hard support and captain Tal “Fly” Aizik, and coach Kanishka “BuLba” Sosale.
A Roster Built on Hope, Undone by Inconsistency
According to Dot Esports, VP assembled this international core back in September 2025, bringing in the former Shopify Rebellion trio of Fly, Abed, and SaberLight after the org had already missed TI the two years prior. The pedigree was there on paper. The results, unfortunately, were not.
The team’s high-water mark across the entire season was a seventh-eighth place finish at DreamLeague Season 27. From there it got harder to watch. They ended up last at FISSURE Playground 2. They failed to reach the playoffs at ESL One Birmingham and PGL Wallachia Season 8. Their final competitive appearance came at the Esports World Cup 2026, where they were eliminated in the Survival Stage after a loss to Rune Eaters.
The TI 2026 European qualifiers told the same story in the sharpest terms. VP reached the upper bracket qualifying match but dropped a 1-2 series to TEAM VISION, which Dot Esports notes went on to finish as TI runners-up. Sent to the lower bracket, they lost another 1-2 series to HULIGANI and were eliminated. That was that.
Meanwhile, across town in the bracket, Team Spirit were busy making history. According to Dot Esports, Spirit claimed a third Aegis of Champions at TI 2026, becoming the first organization ever to do so.
VP Is Not Walking Away
For all the disappointment, Virtus.pro was firm on one point: this is a roster change, not an exit. The org has been part of the Dota 2 scene since 2012 and holds a record five Major championships, though a TI title has remained elusive throughout that entire run.
“Virtus.pro remain committed to Dota 2. This title has always held a special place for our club, and we will continue working toward returning with a team capable of competing at the highest level,” the organization said in its statement, as reported by Dot Esports. Further details about a future roster, VP noted, will come in a separate announcement.
Fly and Abed, two of the more decorated players on the roster, are now listed as looking for a team. Both players carry substantial resumes, and given the player movement that typically follows a TI, the next few weeks should clarify where they land. For VP, the pressure of building a fourth attempt at TI qualification is already underway, whether the next chapter looks anything like the last one remains to be seen.
Why did Virtus.pro disband its Dota 2 roster?
According to Dot Esports, VP said the roster's results fell short of the expectations of the club, its fans, and the players throughout the 2025-2026 season. The team failed to qualify for The International 2026, marking the third consecutive year the org missed the event.
Who was on the Virtus.pro Dota 2 roster that was disbanded?
The disbanded lineup included Timado (carry), Abed (mid), SaberLight (offlaner), Hellscream (soft support), and Fly (hard support and captain), with BuLba serving as coach, as reported by Dot Esports.
Is Virtus.pro leaving Dota 2 entirely?
No. Despite disbanding the current roster, VP stated it remains committed to Dota 2 and has been competing in the title since 2012. The org said further details about a future roster would be announced separately.
What were Virtus.pro's best results this season?
As reported by Dot Esports, the team's best finish was a seventh-eighth place at DreamLeague Season 27. They finished last at FISSURE Playground 2 and failed to reach playoffs at ESL One Birmingham and PGL Wallachia Season 8.