No, Yuri Was Not On Makarov‘s Side in Modern Warfare 2 and 3 – But They Had a Shared History
As a quick overview for my fellow Call of Duty gamers who may be wondering about Yuri‘s allegiances: no, Yuri was firmly against Makarov in Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3, actively working with Task Force 141 to take Makarov down after gaining firsthand experience of Makarov‘s capacity for terrorist violence.
However, Yuri and Vladimir Makarov were not always enemies. They were once allies and even friends during Yuri‘s earlier days working for the Russian government.
Let‘s dive deeper into the complex history between these two pivotal Call of Duty figures – and how their explosive falling out sets the stage for dramatic events in the blockbuster Modern Warfare series.
From Young Patriot to Makarov Friend and Ally
When Yuri first joined Russia‘s security services, he considered himself a "young patriot" eager to serve his country. It was this youthful idealism that initially caught the attention of both Imran Zakhaev and Vladimir Makarov, the future leaders of the burgeoning ultranationalist movement aiming to return Russia to Soviet-level power on the global stage.
Still an impressionable young recruit, Yuri was drawn in by their rousing rhetoric – and soon viewed them as kindred patriotic spirits. By following Zakhaev and Makarov, Yuri likely envisioned he could channel his nationalist fervor into bold operations that would strengthen Russia‘s hand abroad.
This is the crucial backstory that converted Yuri into a friend and ally of Makarov in those early days. Records indicate Yuri was by Makarov‘s side as he set off the nuclear device that decimated the Middle East, killing over 30,000 U.S. servicemen.
"I was young and patriotic when I first met Vladimir Makarov…" – Yuri
Of course, as we later see, Yuri would come to see Makarov‘s wanton hunger for destruction as anything but patriotic. But those seeds of disillusion had yet to fully bloom…
Shocking Airport Betrayal Fuels Yuri‘s Desire for Vengeance
Yuri remained a Makarov loyalist throughout the events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. But seeing the violent extremism displayed by Makarov and his terrorist associate Khaled Al-Asad – including the nuclear annihilation of thousands – sowed doubt in Yuri about his friend‘s true motives.
The final straw came when Makarov shot Yuri at Zakhaev International Airport prior to carrying out his infamous terrorist massacre there – killing hundreds of defenseless civilians.
This act of utter betrayal by Makarov – gunning down his former friend and ally in cold blood – hardened Yuri‘s resolve to bring Makarov to justice.
Badly wounded, Yuri tried to stop the airport attack by contacting Russia‘s Federal Security Service. Though these efforts failed and Makarov eluded justice for the airport killings, the attempt nearly cost Yuri his life.
Hardened Yuri Joins Task Force 141 to Avenge Makarov‘s Betrayal
His patriotic ideals long-shattered, Yuri emerges in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 as a driven, wary operative – joining Captain Price to aid Task Force 141 in order to settle the score with Makarov once and for all.
Likely the insider knowledge Yuri possessed on Makarov‘s plans and tactics made him an invaluable – if unlikely – ally for Price‘s squad as they relentlessly track Makarov following Soap‘s death.
Given Yuri‘s history with Makarov, he almost certainly craved retribution just as much as Price – channeling that burning desire into helping Task Force 141 decimate Makarov‘s forces throughout MW3.
This shared need to avenge those lost to Makarov‘s attacks – including Yuri himself – serves as the foundation for Yuri‘s alliance with Price‘s Task Force 141 in Modern Warfare 3.
Call of Duty‘s Gritty Storytelling Draws Gamers into Complex Yuri/Makarov Dynamic
Across three smash hit titles, the Modern Warfare series gave gamers a groundbreaking first-person vantage into global combat unprecedented in its visceral intensity.
Key to the series‘ success is the complex characterization of figures like Vladimir Makarov – the ruthless, calculating terrorist leader – and Yuri – Makarov‘s friend-turned-sworn enemy after experiencing Makarov‘s capacity for violence firsthand.
This morally gray dynamic between Makarov and Yuri infuses the Modern Warfare saga with an intriguing human dimension amidst the military shoot-em-up action – driving complex storylines grounded in realistic geopolitics that Call of Duty fans just can‘t get enough of, based on the series‘ staggering sales:
Call of Duty Series Worldwide Sales Figures:
Title Copies Sold Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Over 15 million Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Over 22 million Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Over 30 million
For this passionate Call of Duty gamer, the tragic falling-out between Yuri and Vladimir Makarov stands out as some of the most impactful storytelling in videogame history.
No doubt fans will be dissecting the complex bond between these expertly crafted characters for years to come as we eagerly await the next shocking developments in this blockbuster franchise!
