Andrei Markov

Lore & Background

Andrei Markov is a Russian Air Force pilot affiliated with the Blatnoi, a Russian criminal syndicate that forms the New Russian Federation (NRF). He pilots a distinctive Su-35 with "shark mouth" nose art, the same aircraft from Bishop's nightmare of being shot down during an attack on Miami. Markov is part of the 108th Task Force's Russian contingent that betrays the unit, attacking Warwolf Squadron and nearly killing Bishop. After being seemingly killed in a dogfight over Moscow, Markov is revealed to be alive, kills General Ivan Stagleishov, and takes control of the NRF. His motivation is revenge for an American airstrike in the Bosnian War that killed his wife. He mobilizes the NRF to attack the United States, leading an assault on Miami and later Washington, D.C. In the final mission, Markov is shot down and killed by Bishop after attempting to target the White House with the final Trinity missile.

In Their Own Story

Markov first appears attacking Warwolf Squadron alongside other Blatnoi-affiliated traitors from the 108th's Russian contingent, nearly killing Bishop. After the 108th defends Dubai and searches cargo ships in the Suez Canal, the Blatnoi launches a coup in Russia. The 108th deploys to support Russian Loyalist forces, and Bishop seemingly kills Markov in a dogfight over Moscow. However, Markov is revealed to be alive, kills Stagleishov, and takes control of the NRF. He mobilizes the NRF to attack the United States, leading an assault on Miami where he almost shoots down Bishop, but Guts uses his plane to shield Bishop from Markov's missile. Bishop pursues Markov to a hurricane off the coast of Florida, where Illich sacrifices himself to cover Markov's retreat. Markov and the NRF launch a final attack on Washington, D.C., where Markov targets the White House with the final Trinity missile. Bishop duels Markov, who manages to toss the damaged Trinity missile before being shot down and killed. With the missile gliding toward the White House, Bishop damages it enough for it to veer into the Tidal Basin, where it detonates harmlessly.

Reader's Guide

Andrei Markov is the primary antagonist of *Ace Combat: Assault Horizon*, a Russian Air Force pilot and member of the Blatnoi criminal syndicate that becomes the New Russian Federation (NRF). He pilots a Su-35 with "shark mouth" nose art and later a PAK FA during the attack on Miami. Markov is a skilled pilot who nearly kills protagonist William Bishop multiple times. His defining moments include: betraying the 108th Task Force alongside other Russian contingent members, being seemingly killed over Moscow before returning, killing General Stagleishov to take control of the NRF, leading the attack on Miami where Guts sacrifices his plane to save Bishop, and his final duel with Bishop over Washington, D.C. where he is shot down and killed after tossing the damaged Trinity missile. His motivation is revenge for an American airstrike in the Bosnian War that killed his wife.

Did You Know?

• Markov pilots a Su-35 with 'shark mouth' nose art, the same plane from Bishop's nightmare of being shot down during an attack on Miami.
• Markov is motivated by revenge for an American airstrike in the Bosnian War that killed his wife.
• After being seemingly killed in a dogfight over Moscow, Markov is revealed to be alive and kills General Ivan Stagleishov to take control of the NRF.
• During the attack on Miami, Markov nearly shoots down Bishop, but Guts uses his plane to shield Bishop from Markov's missile.
• Markov is shot down and killed by Bishop over Washington, D.C. after tossing the damaged Trinity missile, which Bishop redirects into the Tidal Basin.