| No Russian | |
|---|---|
 A screenshot of "No Russian" | |
| First appearance | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) |
| Last appearance | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020) |
| Created by | Mohammad Alavi |
| Genre | First-person shooter |
| In-universe information | |
| Location | Zakhaev International Airport (also referred to in-game as Moscow Domodedovo Airport), Moscow |
| Characters | PFC Joseph Allen (aka Alexei Borodin), Vladimir Makarov, Viktor, Lev, Kiril |
"No Russian" is a mission in the 2009 video game called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and its remastered version, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020). In the level, the player participates in a mass shooting at a Russian airport, although the player is not forced or told by the game itself to shoot any civilians and may skip the level altogether without penalty. "No Russian" is noticeably more graphic than any other level in the game. The plot of "No Russian" revolves around Army Ranger PFC Joseph Allen, working as an undercover CIA asset, attempting to gain the trust of a Russian terrorist named Vladimir Makarov.
Game designer Mohammad Alavi was heavily involved in the level's development. Alavi wanted the level to serve as a catalyst for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's plot, and create an emotional connection between the player and Makarov. Much of the level's development was spent designing the massacre-portion, which Alavi did not want to feel too contrived or traumatic. Members of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's development team were polarized in their opinions of the level, and several game-testers expressed disapproval, including one game-tester who refused to play the level at all.
"No Russian" sparked significant controversy for letting players directly participate in a terrorist mass killing, and it became a popular subject in both gaming publications and major news publications. Journalists[1] described the level's plot as illogical and derided the ability to skip the level. Due to the level's graphic content, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was subject to censorship in international versions of the game, including its entire removal from Russian versions. Journalists have since discussed the importance of "No Russian" to the video game industry.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (October 29, 2009). "Should Modern Warfare 2 allow us to play at terrorism?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 29, 2024.