Is Makarov Cod Russian?

Makarov is a Russian surname of Greek origin, which poses an interesting question – whether the character Vladimir Makarov in the Call of Duty franchise is Russian or not. In this article, we will delve into the background of the surname "Makarov," his character in the Call of Duty series, and ultimately answer the question "Is Makarov Cod Russian?".

Background of Surname "Makarov"

In Russian, the surname "Макаров (Makarov)" derives from the male given name "**Макар (Makar)" meaning "blessed", which is a Slavic name. According to Genealogy.com, the original form of the name appears to be "Мaкaрьянec (Makariayanec)" or "son of Makarios" indicating a connection to Saint Mark the Evangelist.

Interestingly, the Makarov PM pistol, designed by Sergéi Korotkoff, is a soviet-made firearm made famous by its appearance on the cover of KGB: The Spy Within. Although this particular pistol has no direct relevance to the character in our context, it serves to highlight the cultural significance and widespread use of the suffix "-arov" in names and products of Soviet-Russia.

Makarov in Call of Duty

In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, released in 2009, Vladimir Makarov is portrayed as a Russian-born Russian ultranationalist separatist, the leader of the Ultranationalists, and the primary antagonist. He is the rival of Captain John Price in the game. Captain Price’s character brief outlines his past interactions with Russian forces, and how Mackie (his comms officer) mentions Russian allies.

In-game Makarov’s storyline suggests intense animosity towards Russia but not necessarily because he dislikes the country itself but stems from his belief in their ideology and policies, implying a deeper, political-rooted motivation. However, his actions do reflect against the Russian people as shown in the "Remember, No Russian" easter egg, a mini-game where the player reenacts the Russian air traffic controller’s warning without speaking Russian, foiled by the Ultranationalist forces’ sudden counterattack.

Analysis & Conclusion

Drawing from the cultural context surrounding the surname "Makarov" and its prevalence in Russian names and designs, we can argue the character Vladimir Makarov himself is Russian, although having a complicated and twisted Russian identity. In several instances, he directly affects the Russian military, such as stealing ballistic missiles meant for Russia’s ally or orchestrating the infamous strike on the Russian Air and Space Defense Forces HQ.

Considering his in-game actions, which show apparent disdain for the Russian country and people, Makarov’s motivations might not just be rooted in personal affinity but also ideological. One could interpret this to have a broader message – Russia’s complex relationship with Russia’s people and Russia-centric ideologies.