s-chilla Steps Down from Passion UA, Citing Burnout

Passion UA has announced that Vsevolod "⁠s-chilla⁠" Shchurov has officially stepped back from the roster, opting to take an indefinite break from competitive play.

In a heartfelt video shared on the organization’s YouTube channel, s-chilla opened up about his decision, revealing that he has been battling burnout for a considerable time.

s-chilla Opens Up About Burnout

"This wasn’t a sudden decision," s-chilla explained. "Last summer, while we were competing—even before the RMR—I started to feel that the routine and everything happening around me wasn’t something I enjoyed. Between May and August, I realized I didn’t want to keep living this way. I wanted to make a change.

"I don’t know if it’s a good or bad decision, but it’s my choice. This is my issue. We all did our best, but the daily grind just doesn’t suit me personally. I want to focus on improving other areas of my life and take a step back."

Despite his struggles, s-chilla emphasized his commitment to the team during his final weeks on the roster. "When I decided to take a break, I knew I still had to give my all and support the boys because they deserved it. They need a teammate who is fully motivated, someone who can bring more to the team than I can right now—whether in terms of mechanics or character."

A Blow to Passion UA’s Momentum

The announcement comes as a significant surprise, especially given Passion UA’s remarkable rise in recent months. The team became a fan favorite during the Shanghai Major, where they secured their spot by defeating Virtus.pro, Spirit, and Astralis in the Europe RMR. They narrowly missed advancing past the Opening Stage after losing closely contested series to GamerLegion and Wildcard.

This impressive run elevated Passion UA’s standing in the competitive rankings and drew attention from top-tier organizations. Dmytro "⁠jambo⁠" Semera was rumored to be on Falcons’ radar, while Rodion "⁠fear⁠" Smyk has been linked with fnatic.

Future Plans for Passion UA

Despite s-chilla’s departure, Passion UA remains a strong lineup, with their core players recently signing contracts until 2027. CEO Artemijs Rjabovs reiterated the organization’s commitment to its players but emphasized they wouldn’t block anyone from pursuing opportunities with larger teams.

The current roster for Passion UA now includes:

• 🇺🇦 Rodion "⁠fear⁠" Smyk
• 🇺🇦 Dmytro "⁠jambo⁠" Semera
• 🇺🇦 Nikita "⁠jackasmo⁠" Skyba
• 🇺🇦 Eduard "⁠zeRRoFIX⁠" Petrovskyi
• 🇺🇦 Mikhaylo "⁠Kane⁠" Blagin (coach)

Looking Ahead

While s-chilla’s absence leaves a notable void, the team’s resilience and recent achievements suggest they’ll continue to thrive. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see what the future holds for Passion UA as they navigate this new chapter.