Dimitri Rascalov

Updated 30 October 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

Dimitri Rascalov is the main antagonist of Grand Theft Auto IV (2008). A Russian mobster and the right-hand man of Mikhail Faustin, he talks Niko Bellic into killing his boss, then betrays Niko to his old enemy Ray Bulgarin. He dies in both endings, at different points. Moti Margolin voices him.

Who is the villain in GTA IV?

The main villain of Grand Theft Auto IV is Dimitri Rascalov. Wikipedia describes him as the lieutenant of Russian mob boss Mikhail Faustin. Where Faustin is hot-headed and unpredictable, Dimitri is cool and calculating, and he likes to present himself as the voice of reason. That calm surface hides someone who will sell out anyone for profit.

The GTA Wiki (gta.wiki) says Dimitri was born around 1969 in the Soviet Union and served in the Soviet Army. He and Faustin did time together in a Siberian prison, where Faustin protected him, and the two share matching tattoos on their palms. They moved to Liberty City in the mid-1990s, and the same source lists arrests there for extortion in 1998 and hijacking in 2000.

How does Dimitri meet Niko?

According to the GTA Wiki, Dimitri first appears when Faustin's men grab Niko Bellic and his cousin Roman. Dimitri would rather have them killed, but Faustin decides to put Niko to work instead. Niko becomes a hitman for the pair.

Faustin then orders Niko to kill Lenny Petrovic, the son of Kenny Petrovic, the most powerful Russian mobster in the city, over Dimitri's objections. With the Petrovic family now a threat, Dimitri persuades Niko to kill Faustin himself, promising that this will settle things. Niko carries out the hit.

Why does Dimitri betray Niko?

When Niko comes to collect his money, Dimitri reveals that he has teamed up with Ray Bulgarin. According to the GTA Wiki, Bulgarin was Niko's old boss in a smuggling operation across the Adriatic, and he blamed Niko when one of his ships sank. Dimitri hands Niko over, and Niko only escapes with the help of Little Jacob.

The same day, Roman's flat and his taxi depot are burned down. Our Roman Bellic page covers how Roman recovers from this. Dimitri, meanwhile, grows into a major figure in the city's Russian underworld. The GTA Wiki says he moves into importing drugs and later works with the Ancelotti crime family.

Dimitri and The Lost and Damned

Dimitri's reach extends into the first GTA IV episode. The GTA Wiki explains that Ashley Butler, an associate of The Lost MC, owes Dimitri money. Dimitri uses that debt to push Johnny Klebitz and his fellow biker Malc into kidnapping Roman. The plan is to use Roman as bait to lure Niko to his death. Niko rescues Roman, and Johnny is never told why the Russians wanted him. The story is told from Johnny's side in The Lost and Damned.

Does Niko kill Dimitri in GTA IV?

Yes, in both endings. Near the end, Mafia boss Jimmy Pegorino wants Niko to join a heroin deal with Dimitri. The player decides whether Niko agrees. The GTA Wiki describes what follows:

The GTA Wiki points out an unusual detail: in the Revenge ending, Dimitri is not the target of the final mission, even though he is the game's main villain. For the full story of both endings, see our Niko Bellic and GTA IV pages.

Who voices Dimitri Rascalov?

Dimitri is voiced by Moti Margolin, as listed in Wikipedia's GTA IV cast. The GTA Wiki adds that Margolin also provided the character's motion capture. Dimitri is mentioned, but not seen, in both The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, which are collected in Episodes from Liberty City.