Ukrainian professional esports player Ostap “Oni” Onistrat died on the battlefield in the conflict with Russia earlier this month. He was 21.
The 68th brigade of Ukrainian land forces announced his passing on social media. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that he was killed by enemy shrapnel on June 3.
When 21 year old Ostap Onistrat joined the Ukrainian army to defend his country, his father Andriy, a well-known Ukrainian banker, had no second thoughts: he had to be there on the battlefield with his son. He wanted to protect him, to shield his heroic boy from the brutalities… pic.twitter.com/aHncGx94UJ
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 5, 2023
Oni’s last recorded Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament was at the ZUEL Championship in 2021, where he played for the Ukrainian team LIBERTATEM and finished second, per Sportskeeda.com.
Sergey “LMBT” Bezhanov, a Ukrainian-based CS:GO coach, described Oni as a national hero who died defending his country.
You Ukrainian CS player died while was protecting ???? and everyone of us. Glory to hero! ?? only 21 y.o.https://t.co/Zypvj8iqp2 pic.twitter.com/Jzzn4qKST2
— Sergey LMBT Bezhanov (@LMBT_CSGO) June 3, 2023
–Field Level Media