Escape from Tarkov directly funds the Invasion of Ukraine through partnerships.
The lead dev is appearing directly on the team podcast as well as the ceo helping the fundraising for military gear for the invaders. Nikita is shooting side by side with military group. The military group is in active combat in Ukraine invasion and is frequently fundraising, rallying support and making hateful content like racist memes towards Ukrainians.
The military group 715 with the slogan "train hard" is plastered all over the ingame environment of the game as well as items like armbands. Hors of the military group 715 broke his leg during the active combat in Ukraine.
as someone living in Europe we are actively helping Ukraine with funds to protect their citizens (US, Canada, South Korea and Japan too) and embargo Russia in other products, it does feel bad "also funding the enemy" to shoot missiles and drones at our friend's citizens, hospitals and schools
With the Steam release and 1.0 drop (marketing version 1.0) the revenue might end up in cruel places
Escape from Tarkov devs posting a picture of their character flipping the Middle Finger to Ukrainians. It was posted in December 2022. The picture is unlabeled, the yellow armband which the Ukraine forces use, the helmet and the camo as well as the timely event does suggest the devs intention but provides deniability for "hardcore" fans. source: Escape from Tarkov’s developers showed the middle finger to the stylized soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces - AIN (2022) during the hot phase of the invasion of Ukraine.
note: it is unclear if Nikita himself in this picture is in occupied Ukraine territory despite the source main location being in this territory. This isn't the main point so it doesn't matter as much as the mentioned situations.
tl:dr: I suggest atleast scrolling through the pictures and watch this short summary video. the video doesn't cover everything but is a good overview of the ties and stance of the devs towards the war effort in Ukraine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSO5gGg6Cn8
This is especially relevant with the Steam release and (marketing) 1.0 drop right now.
it's common knowledge within the tarkov community that nikita, battlestate games, etc. are at very least sympathetic to russian militarism. multiple references in-game and on nikita's twitter to 715 team, a pro-russian group of larpers and actual vets. on the more distasteful side: multiple instances of 88's (dogwhistle for heil hitler) in-game.
overall, not a shocker that the team that geeks out over russian military is pro-russia.
edit: to save curious minds some time, these are the references i've noticed myself: https://imgur.com/a/OqedxXs
Suibeam on November 16th, 2025 at 20:49 UTC »
Escape from Tarkov directly funds the Invasion of Ukraine through partnerships.
The lead dev is appearing directly on the team podcast as well as the ceo helping the fundraising for military gear for the invaders. Nikita is shooting side by side with military group. The military group is in active combat in Ukraine invasion and is frequently fundraising, rallying support and making hateful content like racist memes towards Ukrainians.
Link with Nikita appearing in several podcasts for fundraising, militarisation of the youth and general talk
Link with ingame environment being plastered with references to military group
Picture of Hors making fun of dead Ukrainians
The military group 715 with the slogan "train hard" is plastered all over the ingame environment of the game as well as items like armbands. Hors of the military group 715 broke his leg during the active combat in Ukraine.
as someone living in Europe we are actively helping Ukraine with funds to protect their citizens (US, Canada, South Korea and Japan too) and embargo Russia in other products, it does feel bad "also funding the enemy" to shoot missiles and drones at our friend's citizens, hospitals and schools
With the Steam release and 1.0 drop (marketing version 1.0) the revenue might end up in cruel places
Escape from Tarkov devs posting a picture of their character flipping the Middle Finger to Ukrainians. It was posted in December 2022. The picture is unlabeled, the yellow armband which the Ukraine forces use, the helmet and the camo as well as the timely event does suggest the devs intention but provides deniability for "hardcore" fans. source: Escape from Tarkov’s developers showed the middle finger to the stylized soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces - AIN (2022) during the hot phase of the invasion of Ukraine.
note: it is unclear if Nikita himself in this picture is in occupied Ukraine territory despite the source main location being in this territory. This isn't the main point so it doesn't matter as much as the mentioned situations.
tl:dr: I suggest atleast scrolling through the pictures and watch this short summary video. the video doesn't cover everything but is a good overview of the ties and stance of the devs towards the war effort in Ukraine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSO5gGg6Cn8
This is especially relevant with the Steam release and (marketing) 1.0 drop right now.
Pepperminteapls on November 16th, 2025 at 21:05 UTC »
Thank you for the info. Anyone that sides with Russia in this invasion of Ukraine is a traitor to humanity. Glad the game is being bombed on steam
gratuitousHair on November 16th, 2025 at 21:22 UTC »
it's common knowledge within the tarkov community that nikita, battlestate games, etc. are at very least sympathetic to russian militarism. multiple references in-game and on nikita's twitter to 715 team, a pro-russian group of larpers and actual vets. on the more distasteful side: multiple instances of 88's (dogwhistle for heil hitler) in-game.
overall, not a shocker that the team that geeks out over russian military is pro-russia.
edit: to save curious minds some time, these are the references i've noticed myself: https://imgur.com/a/OqedxXs