Ukrainian Dota 2 Player “dubas” Remembered — From Esports to Hero

Vitalii Lukhtan, known in the esports scene as “dubas,” was a Ukrainian professional Dota 2 player who made his mark despite a relatively short career. Over the course of around 20 official matches, he achieved notable success, including a third-place finish at StarLadder StarSeries Season 11, one of Ukraine’s prominent tournaments. His total career earnings were approximately $2,400, but his impact extended beyond statistics.

He began his professional journey in 2014 with HellRaisers, debuting at StarLadder StarSeries Season 10. Competing alongside experienced players such as Dread, yoky-, Artstyle, and Immune, he gained valuable exposure to high-level competition. Although the team did not secure top placements during that period, the experience helped shape his development as a player.

During his career, dubas represented HellRaisers and later NiP (NatashaIshetParnya)—a different team from the well-known Swedish organization. It was with this roster that he reached his career peak, securing third place at StarLadder StarSeries Season 11, with improved team coordination and individual performance.

In total, he participated in several tournaments, including Dota PIT Season 2, GG League Season 2, and multiple StarLadder events. While not all appearances resulted in podium finishes, they contributed to his growth and presence within the competitive scene.

On April 10, Maincast shared tragic news from the фронт: Vitalii Lukhtan had been killed in the war. Today, he is remembered not only as a member of the esports community, but also as someone who gave his life defending the freedom of Ukraine.