Inner Circle Benches Flierax, Shifts CS2 Roster
Inner Circle has benched Artem “Flierax” Khioara and listed him as a transfer, marking a significant change for the team after a period of fluctuating performance. The move comes as Inner Circle seeks to revitalize its CS2 roster following initial success and subsequent challenges in securing qualification for major LAN tournaments.
Flierax’s Journey with Inner Circle
Flierax joined Inner Circle in September 2025, alongside the full TNL (Team Next Level) roster. Prior to the acquisition, TNL had established a reputation for strong performances in online competitions and lower-tier LAN events, holding a global ranking of #47 on HLTV. Inner Circle initially saw positive results with the new lineup, including victories over teams like 3DMAX and GamerLegion at ESL Pro League, and maintained a solid online presence.
Challenges and Roster Changes
Despite the initial success, Inner Circle’s performance began to decline towards the end of 2025, initially impacted by the benching of Dmytro “nifee” Tediashvili due to personal reasons. Further setbacks occurred with the departure of Artem “cairne” Mushynskyi to Ninjas in Pyjamas in the off-season leading into 2026. These changes contributed to a drop in the team’s ranking, falling from a peak of #26 to #75 as of March 8, 2026.
Recent Performance and Decision to Bench
Inner Circle experienced immediate exits in three of their four most recent events, prompting the decision to bench Flierax. Flierax’s average rating over the past three months was 1.02, based on 61 maps. The organization stated that changes are a natural part of a team’s journey and expressed gratitude for Flierax’s contributions.
Current Inner Circle Roster
- Viktor “onic” Babii
- David “Dawy” Bibik
- Arseniy “cptkurtka023” Derevinskiy
- Eduard “zeRRoFIX” Petrovskyi
- Dmytro “jR” Chervak (coach)
Looking Ahead
Inner Circle is now focused on rebuilding its roster and improving its performance in upcoming qualifiers and online events. The search for Flierax’s replacement is currently underway. The team aims to regain its competitive edge and secure qualification for major LAN tournaments in the future.
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