Escape From Tarkov Gaming Studio Faces Backlash Over Ties to Russian Paramilitary Supporters

A widely shared thread on Reddit titled “Escape from Tarkov directly funds the Invasion of Ukraine through partnerships” linked to two image galleries documenting what users describe as a “concerning relationship” between the studio and the group, according to video-game outlet PC Gamer.

The photos appear to show Battlestate’s Chief Operating Officer Nikita Buyanov posing with members of 715 Team, firing weapons with them, and appearing alongside imagery of the group’s slogan “715” and “train hard,” which also appear as graffiti and cosmetics inside Escape from Tarkov.

Members of the group operate a YouTube channel with more than 1.6 million subscribers and have “allegedly supported and taken part in the invasion,” based on a 2022 report by Ukrainian outlet Babel.

Evidence places CEO near 715 team in occupied Donetsk

After online footage circulated showing members of 715 Team in occupied Ukrainian territories, where one member—known by the callsign “Khors”—was injured “during active combat,” users claimed that Battlestate leadership appeared in footage or images connected to the group around this period.

The lead developer was appearing directly on the team podcast, as well as the CEO, who was helping with the fundraising for military gear for the invaders. Nikita was practicing shooting side by side with a military group.

In communities across Reddit, Discord, and X, players describe feeling blindsided.

From gun culture to combat footage: when hobbyists become militants

715 Team built its following through weapons testing and collaborations with Russia’s firearms industry, including Kalashnikov. But after the full-scale invasion began, the group’s public presence shifted.

Its leader, Roman “Khors” Chernov, appeared from occupied territory, posting messages supportive of Russia’s war. The group has also been tied to fundraising and drives for Russian forces, further blurring distinctions between firearms hobbyists and combat participants.

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Battlestate’s connection to Kalashnikov predates the war as well. The PC Gamer report notes that Buyanov recorded promotional videos with the weapons manufacturer. He has also been photographed with Russian blogger Dmitry “Goblin” Puchkov, known online for calling for the genocide of Ukrainians.

Since the start of the invasion, the studio has maintained a policy of silence, deleting mentions of Ukraine from its subreddit and official channels. Buyanov disappeared from social media after Russia launched its full-scale war, returning months later “without a word” about the devastation.

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In-game symbols add fuel to the fire

Players began documenting alleged political references inside Escape from Tarkov as early as 2022.

Reports claim one class of AI opponents—scavs—could spawn with a slur for Ukrainians as their in-game name.

Meanwhile, references to 715 Team and similar imagery—the number “715,” the “train hard” slogan, specific patches and armbands—appeared on walls, clothing, and in cosmetics tied to the game’s monetization.

Battlestate developers once posted an image of a Tarkov character flipping the middle finger while wearing a yellow armband—a color associated with Ukrainian forces—during the initial phase of the invasion. The post lacked explicit labeling but was widely interpreted as hostile messaging.

The player backlash expands beyond gaming

The concern is amplified by the game’s success. With its Steam release and upcoming 1.0 marketing push, players fear revenue “might end up in cruel places,” as one post put it.

For thousands of Ukrainians who once played Escape from Tarkov, the emotion is sharply personal.

According to PC Gamer, one Twitch streamer, known as Bobi, was broadcasting Tarkov when bombs began falling near his neighborhood in early 2022. He fled nearly 900 miles over four days and stayed in the country to support humanitarian relief.

His experience underscores how gaming culture can intersect with war—and how entertainment can shape identity, messaging, and recruitment, especially when real-world militancy becomes part of a brand.

Earlier, Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office decided that GSC Game World—the Ukrainian studio behind S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Cossacks—is an “undesirable organization.”

Under this law, cooperation with such organizations is prohibited, and individuals in Russia who continue to work with them may face administrative or even criminal penalties.

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