Vasily Kuznetsov

**Vasily Kuznetsov** (Василий Кузнецов) is an Evalk rogue former General that commands his own army, after his country did not authorise his operations. As a result, he has abused his great power and placed Razikstan under the control of Evalka.

He is one of the main antagonists in *Iron Hammer: Modern Warfare*.

## Biography

### Background

Kuznetsov's formative years were spent in the Evalkan Empire, growing up in a town within the city of Shabana. His youth was marked by caring for his elderly mother, performing mundane tasks like shopping and cooking. A reading disability hindered his academic pursuits, and he failed to complete trade school. This early struggle fostered an inferiority complex, driving him to seek excitement and power.

At the age of 16, Kuznetsov illegally joined the Evalkan Army. His initial role as a cook was accepted because the military had a need for his culinary skills. However, it was within the military that he discovered his talent for operating machine guns and anti-aircraft batteries. This newfound competence marked the first time he felt truly proficient at something.

As he continued to serve, Kuznetsov climbed the ranks within the military, which began to feed his belief that he was invincible. This growing sense of power became a driving force in his life.

### Invasion of Razikstan

In 1999, as a lieutenant, Kuznetsov led assaults on villages in Northeastern Razikstan, an operation euphemistically labeled **The Annexation**. The resource-rich region was targeted under the pretense of being a breeding ground for terrorists. Kuznetsov, willing to take any measures to protect Evalka, deployed chemical weapons, including chlorine gas-tipped bombs and nerve agents. The resultant devastation sent civilians fleeing to local hospitals, which were subsequently targeted by Evalk warplanes.

One of the villages attacked was Nazori, the hometown of Nadia Farik and her family. The horrors of this attack would have a profound impact on the lives of its survivors, especially Nadia. Within months, Kuznetsov's Army took control of the entire country. This victory gained Barkov ultimate favor with his superiors, allowing his forces to maintain a martial law in Razikstan.

## Personality

General Vasily Kuznetsov is an individual deeply driven by a twisted and fanatical sense of patriotism that knows no bounds. His personality is marred by insanity, brutality, and ruthlessness that make him one of the most menacing figures in the war of *Razik-Evalk War*. Kuznetsov's unwavering belief in his homeland and its cause has mutated into a fanatic patriotism. He is willing to go to any length and commit unspeakable atrocities in the name of his country. This fervent devotion to Evalka drives him to achieve his goals, no matter the cost.

His psyche is fractured, giving rise to a dangerous form of insanity. He is ruthless in his actions, showing no hesitation or remorse when it comes to eliminating anyone he perceives as an obstacle or a threat to his vision. His brutality is particularly pronounced in his treatment of Razikstan's people.

His xenophobia toward the people of Razikstan is evident in his tyrannical occupation, marked by public executions, forced labor, merciless repressions, and genocidal actions. He regards Razikstan as a "breeding ground for terrorists," and this prejudice drives his unnevian treatment of the local population, including children.

Despite his outward displays of strength and brutality, Kuznetsov exhibits moments of cowardice. When faced with direct combat, he often chooses to flee to preserve his own life. His hypocrisy is evident in his inability to recognize the flaws in his own conduct while eagerly using any excuse to inflict suffering through war crimes.

Although Kuznetsov appears unfeeling and relentless, his character reveals emotions under extreme circumstances. At the end, when confronted by Nadia Farik, he experiences terror and attempts to negotiate for his life, highlighting moments of vulnerability hidden beneath his ruthless facade.

## Abilities

### Skills

* **Brilliant Leader**: As a former general of the Evalkan Army, Kuznetsov possesses exceptional leadership skills. He has the charisma and presence to command and inspire his troops, instilling in them a fanatical loyalty to his cause. This ability to lead allows him to maintain control over his rogue army and enforce his tyrannical rule in Razikstan.

* **Master Manipulator**: Kuznetsov's cunning and manipulative nature are key aspects of his personality. He knows how to play on people's fears, prejudices, and loyalties to bend them to his will. He uses manipulation to maintain power and to further his fanatical vision of a dominant Evalka.

* **Tactics**: Kuznetsov's military career has honed his tactical abilities to a fine point. He can devise and execute complex military strategies, ensuring the success of his forces in the field. His ruthless tactics have allowed him to conquer and control large territories in Razikstan, even against fierce opposition.

* **Combatant**: Beyond his strategic mind, Kuznetsov is a formidable hand-to-hand combatant. He has received combat training and is skilled in close-quarters combat, making him a dangerous opponent in personal confrontations. This skill has served him well when directly engaged by his enemies. He also has respectable marksmanship.

## Quotes

Vasily's quotes speaks out a lot of him: Tyranny, lack of remorse and delusion.

### Spoken

* *"Razikstan is nothing but a breeding ground for terrorists. It is my duty to cleanse it."*
* *"The world will remember my name as the one who brought Evalka to it's true glory."*
* *"I will do whatever it takes to protect Evalka, even if it means crushing the rest of the world beneath our might."*
* *"There's no room for mercy in the world I envision. It's survival of the fittest."*
* *"The world will remember my name as the one who brought Evalka to its true glory."*
* *"My power is absolute, and I will not be challenged by anyone."*
* *"Fear is the greatest weapon, and I wield it with pride."*
* *"In the end, it's not about who's right or wrong; it's about who's left standing."*
* *"Sometimes, the most effective leadership is through ruthless authority."*
* *"I am Evalka's shield and sword, and I will stop at nothing to achieve our dominance."*

## Trivia

### General

* His constant smoking is not only a vice but also a symbol of his nonchalant and reckless attitude towards his own health.
* Nadia Farik's immortal enemy, as he was indirectly responsible for the death of her family and the betrayal of her brother.
* Vasily Kuznetsov is the immortal enemy of Nadia Farik, the Razik female rebel leader. He is indirectly responsible for the death of her family and the betrayal of her brother. This makes him the embodiment of hatred in Nadia's eyes, as she relentlessly defies his army through her resistance group, the Razikstani Liberation Force.
* After his death in 2019, the Evalkan authorities took steps to erase Vasily Kuznetsov from history, as his actions had severely stained Evalka's reputation on the global stage. This further underscores the extent of his infamy and the consequences of his ruthless actions.
* Vasily has pointed out that he wanted to rape Nadia way back in 1999 due to the latter spitting on his face multiple times during a failed interrogation.

### Developmental Notes

* Vasily Kuznetsov shares several striking similarities with General Shepherd from the Panamoan Army. Both of them are high-ranking military generals who abuse their power and positions, leading rogue military groups. They have signature weapons in the form of revolvers and exhibit a ruthlessness that knows no bounds. In a poetic twist of fate, both of these antagonists meet their demise at the hands of the protagonists, for the Raziks, Nadia, the Panamoans, Cole Ramirez, with a knife as the instrument of their downfall.
* While Vasily's rogue army is uncreatively and simply named Kuznetsov's Army, the Razikstani Liberation Force (RLF) coined a more dramatic title for his forces, referring to them as *General Kuznetsov's Legion* (GKL) in short. This alternative name emphasizes the ominous and tyrannical nature of his military command.
* Vasily Kuznetsov's brutal occupation and reign in Razikstan, with his war crimes and ruthless actions, indeed cast a dark shadow over Evalka. His reign of terror in the region, characterized by the use of chemical weapons, forced labor, and indiscriminate killings, serves as a stark reminder of the horrors that can be unleashed in a war-torn world. His actions, including the death of Nadia's family, have had a profound impact on the lives of the Razikstani people, creating a strong motivation for resistance and rebellion.