Ray Bulgarin

Background

Ray Bulgarin is a powerful Russian crime lord whose organisation stretches across Europe and into Liberty City. He is the main antagonist of The Ballad of Gay Tony and a key villain in Grand Theft Auto IV. Years before the story, Niko Bellic worked for Bulgarin as a people smuggler. When a ship carrying Bulgarin's cargo sank, Bulgarin accused Niko of stealing from him, and the grudge follows Niko to America.

Events of Grand Theft Auto IV

Bulgarin first appears in Russian Revolution, where Dimitri Rascalov arranges for Niko to walk into a meeting with his former boss. Bulgarin's men turn the meeting into an ambush and Niko has to fight his way out of the warehouse and escape the police. Bulgarin surfaces again in Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend, when his men burst in on the exchange of Gracie Ancelotti for the diamonds, which he regards as his own property. He remains at large at the end of Niko's story.

Events of The Ballad of Gay Tony

Bulgarin learns that Tony Prince and Luis Lopez have obtained the diamonds that were stolen from him, and decides they owe him. He uses Luis Lopez as a hired gun: in Going Deep Luis eliminates NOOSE agents working with Marki Ashvilli, and in Dropping In he kills Ashvilli himself. In In the Crosshairs Bulgarin turns on Luis and tries to have him killed.

After the hostage trade in Ladies Half Price, where Bulgarin's men ambush Luis, the war comes to a head. After Niko kills Dimitri, Bulgarin takes over Dimitri's heroin. In Departure Time Luis destroys the shipment, kills Bulgarin's men including Timur, and catches up with Bulgarin as he tries to leave Liberty City by plane from Francis International Airport, killing him.

Personality

Bulgarin is proud, vindictive and theatrical, often speaking in grand terms about honour and debt. He does not forgive slights and believes anyone who costs him money belongs to him.

Relationships

• Niko Bellic, his former employee and enemy.
• Dimitri Rascalov, who sells Niko out to him.
• Timur, his loyal enforcer in Liberty City.
• Tony Prince and Luis Lopez, whom he tries to bully and later to kill.

Trivia

• Bulgarin is voiced by Vitali Baganov.
• He is one of the characters who ties all three Liberty City stories together.