Meet Vladimir Ivanov: Russian Bartender

Meet Vladimir Ivanov, a Russian bartender who works and lives in Moscow. He is very tough in appearance, yet worrisome and somewhat emotionally destructed from the war, considering he was a soldier on the Eastern Front until he became injured and was sent back to Moscow. Therefore, through his bar interactions and his observations of the happenings in the Tsarist monarchy, he elaborates on the war and the Russian revolution, his position in society, the struggles he faces due to the war, and reflects on his experience in the battlefield. He is somewhat conservative, such that he generally supports the Tsar and royal rule. As the Tsar regime starts to deteriorate, he shares his sadness and loss of faith in the Russian population as new powers and political philosophies begin to skyrocket.

Warfare in the Eastern Front was brutal for Russian soldiers due to lack of advancement in military technology and infrastructure. Russia also had to balance its own revolution with the conflict of WWI, making the battle on the Eastern front a very tough fight. Eventually, Russian troops withdrew from the battle to attend to their own revolution. Therefore, the Russians' role on the Eastern Front resulted as incomplete, not to mention losing tens of thousands of troops in the chaotic violence. Germany's weaponry was extremely advanced, causing devastating losses to Russia. Tear/chlorine gas and the "stalemate" of the Eastern Front will forever haunt our narrator Vladimir.

Being an ex-soldier and a moderate believer in preservation of the traditional monarchy, Vladimir will also comment on the circumstances of Tsar Nicholas II's status, power, popularity, and safety. However, the presence of Rasputin in Russia's monarchy disturbs Vladimir, especially alleged interactions between Rasputin and the queen. Nicholas II's popularity the Russian Revolution slowly fell as generals and advisors plotted to remove him from power due to lack in leadership skills. Although Nicholas II had good intentions, he simply did not own the skills to be a great Tsar. This principle disturbs our friend Vladimir - the Tsar is a nice person and means well, yet people continue to wish violence against him. HOwever, Vladimir will start to see the effects of the absence leadership on the Russian population, complicating his views and provoking deep thought as to whether he supports the Tsar or not. It remains, however, that his morals are powerful in his mind, sometimes exceeding that of his logical thinking.