Early life

Lev Mikhailovich Filin was born the 9th of August 1983 in the downtown of Novosibirsk. As the son of a engineer and pediatrician, Lev didn’t have a luxurious life. He had to share his bed with his younger brother until he moved out to join the army

Military career

Lev, together with Vladimir Makarov graduated from the Frunze Military Academy as a captain in the Russian Army by serving as a paratrooper in the 98th Guards Airborne Division of the VDV. In the early twenties, when he was stationed in Berlin, Lev got in an altercation with another officer who insulted Makarov, resulting in Lev murdering the officer by cutting of the officer's tongue.

Later on in his career, he made it into the Spetsnaz and served two tours in Chechnya during the First Chechen War.

Imprisonment

In 2005, the U.N. held an inquiry to investigate these charges of human rights violations. Makarov's name appeared at the top of the list, making Lev also appear high on that list, that was presented by an EU Investigation panel. The inquiry against Makarov was dropped when he opted for discharge from the armed forces. But further investigation into Lev led to him being imprisoned for murder.

After being released from prison by Makarov in 2016 he participated in the terrorist attack on Zakhaev International Airport.

First encounter with 'The Dragon'

Lev alongside Ivan and Andrei Nolan disguised themselves as Shadow Company contractors, during Operation Rogue Arsenal. They got on board a Shadow Company's Pave Low containing the chemical gasses. Lev then contacted Vladimir Makarov who ordered the three to kill the other Shadow Company contractors aboard the Pave Low.

Upon realizing that a Shadow, Vu, is still alive, Lev knocked the remaining shadow out.

Waking up in a dingy basement in a disclosed location in America, Lev interrogated Vu for over two months. When Vu was finally released for ransom, the Shadow had left an impression on Lev. A not so healthy one.