History
One of four cosmonauts sent into space in an experimental shuttle in 1951, Iliana Rasputina was exposed to cosmic radiation, and along with her brother Piotr and comrades Rud Richards and Natasha Romanoff returned to Earth a changed man. At the suggestion of Victor von Doom, Rasputina and the others were reorganized as the Ultimate Federalist Freedom Fighters, Soviet Union's premiere superhero team.
Over the course of their career, they were deployed to solve crises in countries along the Soviet border, generating goodwill for the Soviet Union and encouraging foreign alliances. However, after the death of Stalin, the UFFF fell under the control of the KGB, which sought to use the team more proactively. Rud Richards balked at this notion, but was overruled by Iliana and Natasha. Meanwhile, Piotr's mind and body began to deteriorate, making him child-like and dependent upon Iliana.
Eventually, the team was deployed to Cuba, ostensibly to confront the Avengers. The mission was a disaster, as Iron Man easily defeated Natasha and a panicked Rud toyed with Giant Man's size-changing belt, causing him to expand beyond what his heart could tolerate. In the ensuing confusing, Iliana was nearly crushed by Giant Man, but was saved by General America, who pulled her out of the way. In spite of this, Iliana attempted to shoot the General and Piotr, unwilling to let his sister kill someone who had saved her life, put his indestructible hand in front of the mouth of her gun, causing it to explode and embed shrapnel in her body.[1]