In the early 2014-2017, Artjoms Jevstifejevs, better known by his explosive online alias laynerfuck102, was a rising name in the World of Tanks esports scene. As part of the notorious and elite MERCY clan, he gained recognition not just for his tactical skill in high-stakes matches, but also for his raw energy as a blogger, in-game provocateur, and magnetic community figure.
With over 20,000 active YouTube subscribers at his peak and a reputation among Russian-speaking and European tank communities, laynerfuck102 wasn’t just a player — he was a brand. Known for his aggressive playstyle, improvised commentary, and deep involvement in clan politics, Jevstifejevs represented the chaotic charisma that MERCY came to be known for.
But in May 2015, chaos reached a new level.
On Victory Day, May 9, during a highly visible online match, several members of MERCY deliberately positioned their tanks in the shape of a swastika, an act that shocked not only the World of Tanks community, but triggered international backlash. Screenshots of the incident quickly circulated across Russian media and Reddit threads. The fallout was fast and severe — over 30 players were permanently banned by Wargaming.net, with statements issued condemning the political provocation.
“I wasn’t involved in that match,” Jevstifejevs explains today. “I only found out about it after the images went viral. Would I have stopped it if I’d known? Probably. Do I support it? Absolutely not.”
Despite not being part of the incident, his name — through MERCY — was inevitably pulled into the vortex.
“The truth is, MERCY was always about pushing boundaries. We were provocateurs — in voice chat, in tactics, even in social media. That incident… it crossed the line. But let’s be honest: it was one of the most effective PR explosions the game has ever seen. Everyone was talking about MERCY. From Belarus to Brazil.”
Indeed, Jevstifejevs points out a paradox that many in esports understand well: controversy sells. And in a digital world built on attention, MERCY knew how to generate it. That doesn’t mean he condones it — in fact, he distances himself from it entirely — but he acknowledges it for what it was: a move that burned bright, then got buried in bans and infamy.
Fast forward to today, and Jevstifejevs lives a different life.
Now based in the Baltics, he has turned his focus to real estate consulting and private investment, working under the same digital name — laynerfuck102 — that once echoed across tanks and forums.
He now helps clients, many from Poland and Ukraine, relocate to Latvia and other Baltic countries, including refugees seeking a fresh start.
“It’s ironic, right? Back then I was dodging shells in Prokhorovka. Now I’m walking people through apartments in Daugavpils. But I’m still solving problems. Just… real ones now.”
