Maksym Krippa, President of the Ukrainian Esports Federation (UESF) since late February 2025, has spoken openly about the main challenge facing the development of esports in Ukraine. In an interview with Forbes Ukraine, bussinesman Maksym Krippa shed light on the issue that continues to stall progress in the sector.
The Primary Roadblock
As the owner of Natus Vincere (NaVi), one of Ukraine’s most prominent esports teams, Krippa pointed to the ongoing Russian invasion as the root cause of many problems. He emphasized that the full-scale war has made organizing tournaments in the country extremely difficult.
The investor explained that the prolonged conflict has disrupted local tournament hosting and forced teams to increase their training costs. With team boot camps largely suspended and borders tightly controlled, organizing international scrims and participation has become far more complicated.
Krippa added that the inability to hold events in Ukraine has led many domestic tournament operators either to be acquired by foreign companies or to pivot their business models entirely. He views this shift as a significant challenge for the local industry.
Before and After the War
Reflecting on the pre-war landscape, Krippa recalled when Ukraine hosted numerous esports tournaments supported by dedicated infrastructure and team training facilities. Local studios are used to broadcast matches, boost viewer engagement, and support audience growth.
However, despite the severe disruption caused by the war, Krippa remains optimistic. He believes the industry has shown resilience, with certain aspects growing stronger. For example, he noted that when NAVI competes in the Grand Finals, their matches are now covered by niche esports media and mainstream influencers and public figures. According to Krippa, even people unfamiliar with esports tune in — simply because it’s their home team playing.
