Virtus.pro revealed that it has received permission from Ubisoft to compete in the 2023 Siege games season under its own name.

Background story

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the organization which was formerly controlled by ESforce Holding, was subject to Ubisoft penalties. The main business of ESforce was VK, the biggest social media platform in Russia, and its CEO received sanctions from both the European Union and the US government.

Due to this, the Rainbow Six Siege squad for Virtus.pro in 2022 competed as “Outsiders” in the Siege competitions season.

Aram Karamanukyan, an Armenian citizen, was named CEO of Virtus.pro in September 2022. He claimed to have acquired the Virtus.pro brand and assets. Several esports professionals questioned that shift as a possible escape route for Virtus.pro to avoid penalties.

As a result, Valve appeared to relax its stance toward Virtus.pro with their name changing back to Virtus.pro after they were also forced to be listed as “Outsiders” in the Dota 2 Standings. This was the case because they were apparently regarded as an Armenian business rather than a Soviet one.

Nikolai Petrossian, the former CEO of ESforce assets, was suddenly named CEO of Virtus.pro in December 2022, resuming his previous position. Nikolai was an easy option, according to Karamanukyan, who spoke on behalf of the company via the Virtus.pro official website.

Prior to the start of the 2023 season the following week, Virtus.pro has now reportedly been given permission to use its own name once more in Rainbow Six Siege esports.

“We have done a fantastic job documenting every step we made to be able to conform and fight under the Virtus.pro banner” Petrossian said on the Virtus.pro official website.