Vladimir Makarov

The mastermind behind the airport massacre who ignited World War III.

Vladimir Makarov is the primary antagonist of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, serving as the leader of the Russian Ultranationalist party. A protégé of Imran Zakhaev, he emerges in 2016 after Zakhaev becomes a martyr and diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States collapse. Makarov orchestrates a series of terrorist attacks against Europe and America, acting as the central figure driving the conflict that defines the game's narrative. His actions directly lead to a surprise Russian invasion of the East Coast of the United States, making him the most wanted man by Task Force 141.

Quick Facts

Role: Leader of the Russian Ultranationalist party
Affiliation: Russian Ultranationalist party
Nationality: Russian

Lore & Background

Makarov operates as a shadowy figure within the Ultranationalist movement, rising to prominence after Imran Zakhaev's death. In one of his most significant moves, he orchestrated a mass shooting at an airport in Moscow. He embedded Private First Class Joseph Allen into his cell under a false identity, only to kill Allen during the attack and leave his body behind to implicate the United States. This betrayal successfully triggered a full-scale Russian invasion of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., facilitated by the capture of an ACS module that disabled NORAD's satellite network. Makarov remains elusive throughout the conflict, forcing Task Force 141 to hunt him across Rio de Janeiro, Russia, and Afghanistan while simultaneously evading capture.

Reader's Guide

Vladimir Makarov is identified as the leader of the Russian Ultranationalist party and the mastermind behind the events that trigger World War III. He is directly responsible for the death of Joseph Allen and the framing of the United States for a terrorist attack in Moscow. His primary objective involves destabilizing global powers, achieved through the capture of an ACS module which allowed Russia to disable US satellites. Players encounter his influence indirectly through the actions of Task Force 141, who are tasked with hunting him down. Key moments include the infiltration of his cell by Allen, the pursuit of his arms dealer in Rio, and the rescue of Captain Price from a gulag where he was held as Prisoner 627. His presence drives the entire campaign, culminating in a confrontation that sees Task Force 141 members killed or forced to go rogue.

Did You Know?

Makarov was aware of Joseph Allen's true identity as a US agent before killing him at the airport.
The Russian invasion of the US East Coast was facilitated by Makarov's forces capturing an ACS module to disable NORAD.
Task Force 141 rescued Captain Price from a gulag in Kamchatka Krai after learning he was held as Prisoner 627, Makarov's most hated enemy.
Makarov's safehouse on the Georgia–Russia border contained intelligence that led to General Shepherd's betrayal of Task Force 141.