Fallen Ends Partnership w/ Ukrainian Skater Vlad Pirat Over Alleged Russia War Posts

His departure wasn’t the typical “thank you for the opportunity” kind of message.

Instead, he used the platform to express frustration over the reason why his sponsorship ended.

Vlad revealed that he had been signed by Fallen EU in early 2024 and later entered into an official contract with them at the start of 2025.

Everything seemed set until he received an email from the brand, letting him know they were severing ties due to his political posts about the war in Ukraine.

The email stated: "Vlad, due to a situation of the brand’s bosses in the US, they prefer not to get involved in politics and your profile is very oriented towards politics... So we must break the agreement we had..."

In his response, Vlad didn’t hold back. He explained that his posts weren’t about politics but about a reality his country was living through.

He had been raising funds and awareness for friends on the frontlines, and he made it clear: “Fundraising for friends who are at the frontline – this is not ‘politics.’ Russian missiles and drones above our heads. Destroyed cities. Civilians killed. This is not ‘politics.’ This is our reality. A reality that we didn’t choose and a war that we didn’t start.”

Vlad pointed out the contradiction he saw in Fallen’s decision. While they claimed to avoid politics, some of their other riders had participated in events in Russia, some of which had ties to the Russian government.

Vlad questioned whether the brand was truly trying to stay out of political matters, or if they were simply protecting their business interests in Russia. “Isn’t this ‘politics’?” he asked.

He also expressed frustration with the new direction of the company under different ownership. Vlad compared the current Fallen to the one he had originally signed with, under the leadership of Jamie Thomas.

For the Ukrainian skater, the difference between the two was clear. He said, “You can buy a brand name, you can buy ex-brand riders, but you can never buy credibility or integrity. Without it, you’re just another pair of shoes to be used for a few weeks, and nothing more. Your logo represents nothing but your desire for money.”

Even though the end of his partnership with Fallen was disappointing, Vlad did thank the people at Fallen Europe who had worked with him. He acknowledged that some individuals had made a genuine effort to help him and that he appreciated their support.

In the end, Vlad’s message wasn’t just about losing a sponsorship deal. It was about standing firm in his beliefs, even if it meant facing the consequences.

For him, speaking out against the war in Ukraine was never about politics—it was about survival, loss, and fighting for his country. His decision to keep sharing the harsh realities of the war, despite the personal cost, shows his commitment to his values.

While his time with Fallen has ended, Vlad continues to use his platform to advocate for those affected by the war, demonstrating that, even without the sponsorship, his voice is still as strong as ever.