Topolov

Actor: Alan Charof

Surname: Topolov*Russian name:* Тополов*Nationality:* Soviet*Affiliation:* Soviet Union*Rank:* General*Role:* Senior Red Army Officer*Subordinate:* Soviet Commander S7*Enemies:* Allied Forces*Conflict:* Alternative Second World War*Appearance:* Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Tesla Missions / Retaliation
Status: Retired; became a farmer after his military service.Topolov is a high-ranking general of the Soviet Union who oversees several major operations against the Allied Forces during the additional campaigns of Red Alert. In the PlayStation version Retaliation - known as Missions Tesla in French - he appears in the new Soviet cutscenes and personally conducts the player’s briefings.

His role on the Soviet side is therefore comparable to that of General Ben Carville in the Allied briefings in Retaliation.

A rather atypical Soviet general

Topolov stands out sharply from the other Soviet leaders in the first Red Alert.

He is described as an elderly, austere and particularly forthright Officer. He is very fond of vodka, and just a few drinks are enough to make him much more warm and approachable.

Above all, however, Topolov does not get involved in the power struggles that characterise Stalin’s inner circle.

Whereas Gradenko, Kukov and Nadia are associated with internal rivalries, manipulation and personal ambitions, Topolov has no real hidden agenda. His motivation is much simpler:to serve Russia as effectively as possible.

The S7 Commander’s superior

Topolov is the direct superior of the Soviet S7 Commander, a character played by the player in the Soviet campaigns of Counterstrike, Aftermath and their compilation Retaliation.

He entrusts him with several extremely important operations.

At first, their relationship remains essentially that of a general and one of his field officers.

But the Commander’s successive victories gradually change the way Topolov views him.

The general eventually develops a genuine friendship and deep respect for his subordinate.

This is probably what distinguishes Topolov most from other Soviet mission givers: he does not view the player merely as a replaceable tool of the regime.

Operations in Ukraine

One of his most important briefings concerns a campaign in Ukraine.

There, the Allies are developing several technologies capable of challenging Soviet military superiority. In particular, Topolov informs the Commander that the enemy is working on MiG prototypes, experimenting with an air-fuel bomb and using the Chronosphere.

His orders are particularly clear:

to destroy the prototypes;

to seize the Chronosphere;

to eliminate the Allied presence in Ukraine;

and to assassinate the Greek General Nikos Stavros.

This sequence perfectly illustrates his personality.

Topolov does not seek to impress the Commander with grand ideological speeches. He sets out the threats, gives the objectives and expects his Officer to carry them out.

‘For Russia!’

Topolov nevertheless has a much more jovial side when operations end successfully.

After a victory, he is seen raising several toasts with vodka: first to Russia, then to women and finally to Russian women.

It is this blend of stern Officer and old Soldier with a taste for vodka that forms the essence of his on-screen personality.

He explains to the Commander that he likes him very much, before adding that, as a Russian, he doesn’t normally like anyone.

Allied experimental weapons

The operations entrusted to Topolov are not limited to territorial conquests.

Commander S7 must regularly thwart the Allies’ technological projects.

In particular, he takes part in the destruction of Allied research into the Fuel-Air Bomb, whilst also intervening against various experimental military programmes.

This period is particularly significant in Counterstrike and Aftermath, as both sides are stepping up their development of new weapons.

Topolov thus finds himself overseeing a veritable technological war running parallel to the conventional conflict.

The Commander under Topolov’s command is also associated with one of the most extraordinary Soviet projects of the period:

Volkov, the Soviet cybernetic super-soldier.

S7 notably becomes the official planner of operations involving Volkov.

Topolov thus oversees a Commander who is no longer content merely to lead conventional divisions: his subordinate is involved in some of the Soviet Union’s most sensitive experimental operations.

S7’s repeated successes gradually explain the exceptional trust that Topolov places in him.

A weary general

An interesting aspect of his character is that Topolov does not seem particularly enthusiastic about the idea of continuing the conflict indefinitely.

He is weary of war despite his loyalty to the Soviet Union.

This helps us better understand his final decision.

Unlike Soviet officials who are constantly seeking greater power, Topolov simply aspires to leave the army once his duty is done.

And once his Commander has sufficiently demonstrated his capabilities, he feels he can finally leave.

Topolov’s retirement

After a long series of Soviet victories, Topolov finally announces his retirement from military service.

He then completely abandons his life as an Officer.

His plan is much more peaceful:

to become a farmer. But before leaving, he makes one final gesture towards the Commander.

Topolov leaves him his desk and a bottle of vodka.

Commander S7 becomes his successor.

Topolov does not die, is not executed and does not disappear in a purge.

He simply manages to retire.

For a Soviet General in the Red Alert universe, this is almost exceptional.

Topolov and the Soviet Commander

Topolov therefore acts almost as a military mentor.

He does not seek to eliminate his subordinate when the latter becomes too powerful. On the contrary, he regards his successes as proof that he is ready to take his place.

This is the exact opposite of the power struggles seen around Stalin.

Special appearance in Retaliation>
Topolov is primarily a character in the cutscenes ofRetaliation.

The original PC expansions Counterstrike and Aftermath did not feature these cutscenes. The PlayStation compilation Retaliation added 19 new briefing cutscenes, featuring Carville for the Allies and Topolov for the Soviets.

These cutscenes were subsequently officially incorporated into the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection, allowing them to be linked to the corresponding missions.