Denis "⁠seized⁠" Kostin has announced that 9 Pandas have benched him

 After nearly two years in the starting lineup, Kostin has stated that he has been benched by the 9 Pandas. "It's very hard to pick some words and make some conclusions now," seized stated in an emotional message that was uploaded on X, referring to his tenure with 9 Pandas as a "rollercoaster." Speaking kindly of the players and staff, he said, adding that he will "continue to follow the successes of the team, worry about them and miss every member of the squad and organization." 

Given that seized was benched and that 9 Pandas just lost coach Andrey "⁠Xoma⁠" Mironenko to Virtus.pro, the team will need to completely restructure its leadership. After entering the company in the middle of 2022, Seized served as the IGL on 9 Pandas for about two years. Before halfway through 2023, the team's accomplishments were rather meager, with their highest placings coming from regional contests.