Ray Bulgarin

Updated 2 November 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

Ray Bulgarin is a Russian crime boss in Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) and the main antagonist of The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009). He blames Niko Bellic for a smuggling ship that sank and allies with Dimitri Rascalov against him. Luis Lopez finally kills him. Vitali Baganov voices him.

Who is Ray Bulgarin?

Ray Bulgarin is the man from Niko Bellic's past. Wikipedia describes him as Dimitri's former employer, who accuses Niko of stealing from him during a human trafficking job that went wrong. The GTA Wiki (gta.wiki) fills in the backstory: Niko worked for him smuggling people across the Adriatic, a ship sank, and Bulgarin held Niko responsible for the lost cargo.

The same wiki puts his birth around 1958 in the Soviet Union and says he was arrested in Liberty City in 1989 and deported, before carrying on his business from Europe.

How does Bulgarin appear in GTA IV?

After Dimitri Rascalov betrays Niko, Bulgarin turns up to collect him. Wikipedia says a firefight breaks out and both men get away. Niko survives with the help of Little Jacob.

Bulgarin returns later. According to Wikipedia, his people interrupt the ransom exchange for Gracie Ancelotti, and the diamonds involved are lost in the shooting. That trade is part of Gerald McReary's story line with Niko and Packie.

What is Bulgarin's role in The Ballad of Gay Tony?

In The Ballad of Gay Tony he is the main villain. The GTA Wiki says he hires Luis Lopez for a series of jobs, then turns on him and sets up an ambush. His interest in the lost diamonds ties the episode back to Niko's story.

How does Ray Bulgarin die?

In the episode's last mission, "Departure Time", Bulgarin tries to leave Liberty City by private jet. The GTA Wiki says Luis gets aboard and kills him, and that a grenade Bulgarin pulls goes off in the air. See our The Ballad of Gay Tony missions page for the lead-up.

Who voices Ray Bulgarin?

Vitali Baganov voices Bulgarin, according to Wikipedia's GTA IV cast list.