Sergei Vladimir (surname unknown) was a former Russian Colonel in the Soviet Army and later an executive of the Umbrella Corporation. His official title was "Captain of the Elite’s Guard" and he was involved with the Tyrant Project and instrumental in the formation of the U.B.C.S. (Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service). He also led the "Monitors", a secret internal espionage organization. He swore loyalty to Oswell E. Spencer and showed an ardor for carrying out his orders, ensuring that even the most radical of his wishes were carried out. He was still referred to as "Colonel" as a nickname. 1 2
History
Soviet Union
Vladimir served in the Soviet Army, seeing service throughout the Cold War and taking part in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He eventually reached the rank of Colonel. While he served his country to the best of his abilities, he would later find himself forced to resign. In 1991, the Soviet Union began to buckle under increasing political pressure and internal turmoil after Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) reforms. With the Soviet system in a state of disarray, the Soviet Army was dissolved with many units being divided between each of the newly independent states. With future attempts to re-consolidate the military into the successor state, the Commonwealth of Independent States (C.I.S.), ending in failure, many soldiers and officers had nowhere else to go.
Umbrella Corporation (1991-1998)
Sergei contacted Umbrella in December 1991. He underwent the primary field test for Tyrant adaptation, and it was discovered that he was one of the few rare individuals in the world with a compatible genetic code for adaptation to the t-virus variant required for creation of a Tyrant. Vladimir allowed Umbrella to create ten clones from his genetic material. After some convincing from Nicholai Zinoviev, he eventually submitted his clones to Umbrella. In exchange, he became an executive of the company. He pledged his unwavering loyalty to Oswell E. Spencer for giving him a home and purpose. 3
An experienced military officer, he his knowledge of military affairs made him instrumental in the formation of Umbrella's private military unit, the U.B.C.S. (Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service). He was also responsible for leading a top-secret, nameless internal espionage organization within Umbrella comprised of operatives known only as "Monitors". Vladimir's ten clones allowed the Tyrant Project to excel, becoming Umbrella's most valued bio-weapon. Vladimir felt a fraternal connection with his clones. At some point, he had two T-103 model Tyrants modified to serve as his personal bodyguards and kept them close at all times. They were named "Ivan", and he referred to them as "old friends".
At some point, Vladimir became the director of the Caucasus Laboratory.
Ecliptic Express Incident (Jul. 23, 1998)
In July 1998, Vladimir was ordered by Spencer to retrieve the T-A.L.O.S. prototype from the Arklay Laboratory and transport it to Russia to continue development at the Caucasus Laboratory. 4 Meanwhile, Umbrella made preparations to re-open the Umbrella Research Center, its former executive officer training school. Albert Wesker was charged with the task. However, Vladimir quickly noticed Wesker's betrayal of Umbrella for an opposing organization and launched Ivan in combat with him. The self destruct mechanism activated by William Birkin caused an explosion which served as a distraction and allowed Wesker to escape, resulting in the failure of Vladimir's cleanup attempt. Rather than follow Wesker, he turned his attention to the recovery of the prototype specimen.
Mansion Incident (Jul. 24, 1998)
While Wesker was gathering combat data on the B.O.W.s in the Arklay Laboratory, Sergei used remote access to save all of the research data to the "U.M.F.-013" and used the A.I. defence computer "RED QUEEN" to revoke Wesker's access rights. The A.I. was then transported to Russia in order to continue development of and enable the complete control of T-A.L.O.S. under his strict supervision.
Raccoon City Incident (Sep-Oct, 1998)
On September 29, Vladimir was granted emergency powers and given direct command over all equipment and personnel in response to the biohazard in Raccoon City. In order to fulfill a series of objectives, he departed for the city. His first action was sending six mass produced Tyrants into Raccoon City by helicopter. One was dropped into the police department to track down Sherry Birkin and retrieve the G-virus sample in her pendant. The remaining five were deployed to the "Incineration Disposal Plant P-12A" to engage a U.S. Army Special Forces unit that had been sent by the U.S. Government to acquire the G-virus and gain custody of William Birkin. After deploying the Tyrants, he recovered the U.M.F.-013 from the shelter of the underground laboratory. Thanks to his efforts, the U.M.F.-013 could be used to help the company recover from the repercussions of the incident. The G-virus could not be procured. Instead, it was extracted by HUNK, the last surviving member of the U.S.S. unit initially sent to seize the virus from Birkin. 5
Umbrella's End (Feb. 18, 2003)
Between 1998 and 2003, Vladimir continued development of T-A.L.O.S. in an attempt to earn profits for Umbrella, which had been weakened and begun to collapse due to its plummeting stock price. Based on the body recovered from the Arklay Laboratory and experimental data, work was rushed to complete T-A.L.O.S.
On February 18, 2003, the Russian Government obtained intelligence leaked by Albert Wesker about the Russian branch of Umbrella developing a new-type B.O.W. at its Caucasus Laboratory, the location of which was also leaked by Wesker. In response, the government funded an operation to raid the facility and deployed the Russian branch of the Private Anti-Bioterrorism Unit. In addition, Wesker arrived to steal the U.M.F.-013 take revenge against Vladimir for interfering with his plans five years earlier. Vladimir sent both of his Ivans to kill Wesker and activated the T-A.L.O.S. prototype and launched it against Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. Wesker destroyed both Ivans and confronted Vladimir. With no other option, Vladimir injected himself with the t-virus, becoming "Monster Sergei". He was ultimately defeated despite his strength, and his body dissolved as he died.