Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, a Counter-Strike legend and one of the most iconic figures in esports history, has become the victim of a brazen street robbery. The incident occurred late in the evening as he was returning to his hotel with his girlfriend. A thief ran up to him, grabbed his arm, and snatched the watch right off his wrist — just a minute before they reached the hotel.
“Guys, my watch just got stolen. They ran up and pulled it off my wrist when Katya and I were one minute from the hotel,” s1mple wrote in his Telegram channel.
He later shared more details of the encounter, not hiding how emotional the moment was:
“Some guy grabbed my arm aggressively. I pushed him away and thought that was it — but he had already stolen the watch. I bought it from an amazing person, it was my absolute favorite. They stole something I loved.”
According to s1mple, the watch wasn’t just valuable — it carried deep emotional significance.
Who Is s1mple?
Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev is not just a CS player — he’s a global esports icon. A Major champion (PGL Stockholm 2021) with NAVI, multiple-time HLTV Player of the Year, MVP of over 20 top-tier tournaments, and a record-breaking sniper and clutch master. His playing style, confidence, and charisma helped build a personal legacy that made his name synonymous with excellence in Counter-Strike.
Even during his temporary break from pro play, s1mple remains one of the most influential personalities in the game, maintaining active engagement with fans and appearing in public events.
Beyond Esports: s1mple Recently Released a Track
The robbery came just days after another headline featuring Kostyliev — this time for an unexpected move into music. s1mple debuted as a recording artist, releasing a track that — while not meant to be taken too seriously — sparked a lively reaction among fans. Some praised its emotional tone and raw style, while others were simply surprised by the experimental side of the esports star.
The release showed once again that s1mple is more than just a player — he’s a multifaceted personality exploring creative outlets beyond the server.
READ MORE:S1mple Drops a Fun Song — “It’s Just a Freestyle”
Community Reaction: Support, Outrage, and Memes
The news of the robbery spread quickly across social media — Telegram, Twitter (X), Reddit, and TikTok all lit up with reactions. Many fans expressed their support and concern in the comments:
“So sorry, Sasha. Hope you’re okay. The most important thing is that you’re safe.”
“This kind of stuff is terrifying. It’s not even about the watch, but the fact that someone can just grab you like that on the street.”
“We stand with you, legend. Hope they catch the guy soon.”
However, in classic esports community fashion, some turned the tragic moment into memes and lighthearted jokes:
- “+1 watch for the eco AWP player.”
- “Someone from Falcons’ TikTok squad overperforming again.”
- “The watch clutched, s1mple’s got no buyback.”
While some called these jokes inappropriate, others defended the humor as a coping mechanism.
Several fan accounts even launched the hashtag #ReturnS1mplesWatch, urging people to raise awareness. A few have offered rewards for any information about the thief or the watch if it appears for sale online.
This incident serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars with millions of fans aren’t immune to street crime. Hopefully, the perpetrator will be caught — and s1mple can return to a sense of peace.
