You do not understand, you cannot. You and the Germans, you have your Super-Soldiers ...Your Secret Weapons . But we Russians...we having nothing but the "Winter". 
- —Vasily Karpov[src]
History
Early Life
Vasily Karpov (Russian: Василий Карпов) was born and raised in Soviet Russia. He became a ruthless but efficient Soviet officer.[1]
World War II
During World War II; He was involved in a joint operation with Captain America and the Invaders, in which he helped foil a plot of Red Skull and Master Man. The operation left Karpov with strong respect and fear towards Captain America.[1]
Afterwards he adopted a young boy Alexi Shostakov whose mother was killed in the battle. He raised Alexi as his own. He was involved in training and molding a young Alexi into becoming a somewhat successful Red Guardian for the Soviet Union.[1]
Winter Soldier
In 1945, Karpov also retrieved a wounded Bucky Barnes from the ocean after he had been involved and believed dead in an airborne explosion.[2] Now part of Department X; Karpov reprogrammed Barnes to become the Winter Soldier, a ruthless assassin used in numerous Cold War operations against America and her allies. He would have him put in Suspended animation between missions.[3]
Another protege of his was Alksander Lukin who he trained to take his place.[1]
Red Room
He allowed the Winter Soldier to help train at the Red Room Academy for the Black Widow Ops Program. He stopped this when the Winter Solider began a relationship with Natasha Romanoff. He ended the relationship by putting him back on ice.[4]
Retirement
Karpov eventually moved to the Middle East and died around 1988 most likely from age related illnesses.[4]
See Also
- 7 appearance(s) of Vasily Karpov (Earth-616)
- 2 minor appearance(s) of Vasily Karpov (Earth-616)
- 5 mention(s) of Vasily Karpov (Earth-616)
- 2 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Vasily Karpov (Earth-616)
- 3 image(s) of Vasily Karpov (Earth-616)
- 1 quotation(s) by or about Vasily Karpov (Earth-616)
