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I have created… Time Machine.
- Gregor Zelinsky

Dr. Gregor Zelinsky (Russian: Григорий Зелинский) is a scientific genius appearing in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3.

Background[]

Dr. Zelinsky is an expert in relativity and physics, considered one of the most intelligent minds of the Soviet Union, Zelinsky created the USSR's Temporal Displacement Device in a year-long secret project. Being forewarned, he protested when his superior Colonel Cherdenko wanted to use the time machine, warning him that the machine was not tested yet and that they have no idea what the effects of changing the timeline would be. He was forced to accompany Cherdenko and General Krukov on a trip into the past to eliminate Albert Einstein, and he tried in vain to stop Cherdenko from assassinating the famed scientist. Upon their return to the altered present, Zelinsky's fears manifested, as the removal of Einstein prevented the deployment of nuclear weapons, allowing the Japanese to invade the Soviet Union.

Storyline development[]

Who knows what nightmares we have created…
- Dr. Gregor Zelinsky after the Empire started to attack the Union

During the Third World War, he began to regret what he had done. He knew that it was he who was responsible for the creation of the Empire of the Rising Sun, as well as the war. He began the war working for the Soviets, but then defected to the Allies, to whom he gave information about his time machine, as well as the secret Soviet base in Cuba.

Fate[]

Ah Mr. Bingham, thank you. You must listen to me, nothing is as it should be.
- Dr. Zelinsky to Robert Bingham

In the Allied campaign, he defects to the Allies after the defeat of the Empire of the Rising Sun and gives them valuable information about the secret Soviet base in Cuba. The rest of his fate is unknown, but due to the Allied victory it is implied he is still alive and works for Field Marshal Bingham informing him of the Soviets' remaining assets.

He was good friends with Dr. Shimada likely after the Allied victory and have worked together to better maintain peace and order with their research.

In the Allied Campaign, Zelinsky doesn't appear with his glasses (most likely because he was in a hurry to reach Berlin before the Soviets became aware of his defection).

RA3 Soviet logo The following is based on the Soviet campaign of Red Alert 3 and might contradict canon.
We have violated the space-time continuum and the repercussions of this arrogant act have been catastrophic.
- Dr. Zelinsky

In the Soviet campaign, Zelinsky is first introduced after the Soviets became concerned about the Allies' development on a superweapon but was soon cut off by Cherdenko. Before the Soviet Commander sets off to assasinate the Emperor of the Rising Sun, Zelinsky secretly contacts the Soviet Commander, recounting the events leading to Cherdenko's interference with the timeline and wishes the Commander to eventually tell the truth. Given Cherdenko's attempt to eliminate the Commander later on, it is likely he became aware of the transmission and had Zelinsky silenced.[1]

EotRS logo The following is based on the Imperial campaign of Red Alert 3 and might contradict canon.
Don't come any closer. I need more time with the Chronosphere prototype. I won't hesitate to unleash catastrophe upon you!
- Dr. Zelinsky to Imperial Commander
You Empire of the Rising Sun, you're a mistake out of time! You thought that by destroying the time machine you could erase this error but I can still stop you!
- Dr. Zelinsky to Imperial Commander

In the Imperial campaign, Emperor Yoshiro and Crown-Prince Tatsu learned about the Soviet's time machine and that that they and their Empire should never have existed through their android spy duplicate of President Ackerman, who was talking with Dr. Zelinsky. As the Soviet Union fell to the Japanese, Dr Zelinsky took charge of all remaining Soviet forces and retreated to the Allies' last stronghold at Amsterdam. When the Empire attacked the FutureTech HQ, Zelinsky unleashed total destruction with some kind of experimental superweapon, destroying most of Amsterdam. Although the Empire managed to bring in reinforcements and destroy the FutureTech HQ, some kind of chrono rift appeared at the HQ just before its destruction. Considering the final words he utters before the HQ came crumbling down, it is likely he perished in anger.

No…no, no, no, no! You're are a mistake! My mistake… Arrgh!!
- Dr. Zelinsky before his defeat at the end of the Empire Campaign

Gallery[]

Behind the scenes[]

  • Dr. Zelinsky is portrayed by Peter Stormare. Stormare is known for playing the Russian Cosmonaut Lev Andropov from Armageddon, the side street eye surgeon from Minority Report, and is usually recognized for his portrayal of John Abruzzi in Prison Break.
  • Zelinsky's role as "the repentant creator of doomsday weapons, who has fled to the West" is most likely based on Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov, a Soviet nuclear physicist, known as creator of first Soviet hydrogen bomb and defector from the USSR.

References[]

  1. Electronic Arts Los Angeles (October 28, 2008). Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Windows). Electronic Arts. "Dasha: We now believe [Cherdenko] was responsible for Dr. Zelinsky's disappearance."
Red Alert 3 Characters
RedAlert3Soviet1 avatar Prominent Members of the USSR RedAlert3Soviet1 avatar
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