Gennadi Volodnikov

Dr. Gennadi Volodnikov was a portly Russian physicist who oversaw the Soviet dig site in the ruins of Babylon.

Biography
Unlike the high-ranking Soviet officials, Volodnikov didn't dismiss the belief of supernatural powers. His plan was to locate the elusive Infernal Machine, activate it, and use it to communicate with the Babylonian deity Marduk. With Marduk's help, the Soviet Union could win a decisive victory in the Cold War.

Unfortunately for Volodnikov, Indiana Jones, having been hired by the CIA, had already infiltrated the ruins and found out about the lost Machine parts. Volodnikov eventually found out but Indy was already one step ahead of him. Volodnikov and his troopers pursued Indy throughout the world and eventually captured him in Teotihuacan where the American had just found the third machine part. Volodnikov eventually lost Jones when he escaped from his holding cell onboard the V.I. Pudovkin and reclaimed the machine parts.

After Indy acquired Nub's Part, he was about to give it to Sophia Hapgood and her boss, Simon Turner. Volodnikov cornered him and demanded he give him the parts, claiming that the agents don't know what they're doing. Indy gives the agents the machine parts and they leave him. Volodnikov talks to Indy saying that their betrayal will cost them their lives since they underestimate the powers that they currently wield. Indy leaves Volodnikov and pursues the agents.

Volodnikov isn't seen again until the climax where Indy and Sophia have just escaped the destruction of the Aetherium. Voldonikov decides that it was wrong to have used otherwordly powers to help his country and helps the two out of the ruins.

Behind the scenes
Volodnikov is one of the very few villains of an adventure to survive and his role as main villain was given to Marduk instead.

Appearances

 * Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine