Vladimir was moving fast, within 2 years of operating in the U.S. his influence reached all over the country. It was even rumoured that he was dealing with President Alex Shrub on one level. Vladimir was still working to control the arms trade in the USA; he moved one step closed when he bought the entire Ammu-nation franchise, but it wasn't enough. He needed a partner in the U.S to share the risk. This problem was solved when he was contacted by a fellow arms dealer in Vice City - Ray Wachowski.
The deal was made and together with Ray they went nationwide. The arms were imported from Russia, China and France and made their way onto U.S streets in no time.
It was known to the F.B.I and the C.I.A for quite some time Vladimir had been dealing with a mystery associate, an American who was currently somewhere in Britain on business. This associate had been a major factor in establishing the Russians presence in the US. It was only after he arrived back in the U.S did they discover who it was.
The one time Kingpin of Vice City - Tommy Vercetti.
Tommy who was 56 now had one time ruled the drugs trade in Vice City 20 years ago but in 1991 he mysteriously disappeared from the scene. Some say he retired and moved to the west coast to open up a boat school, others say he moved to Sicily – nothing was ever proved.
His businesses were left in the hands of Ken Rosenberg, who subsequently had a drug habit, couldn't control them as well as Tommy had and with in a year Ken went into rehab and Vice City was open for the taking.
Now it seemed that after his long hiatus he had returned to his original home – Liberty City. And was back to claim what was his.
It seems Tommy had become good friends with Vladimir over the years and together they were ready to carve up Liberty City.
The Leones and Forellis got word of this. They were both furious. The Forellis especially knew they were in targets as it was Giorgio's father Sonny who had tried to kill him. Giorgio saw this as chance to get revenge on his father's killer but Joey Leone disagreed. Tony Cipriati agreed; they should go to war with Vercetti and his Russian lapdog.
Giorgio suggested they sink his next arms shipment coming in from France, Tony agreed, this was rumoured to be the biggest cargo shipment yet, they would lose millions. Tony had his best man do the job, a local garage owner - 8 Ball.
The plan went without a hitch, 8 Ball rigged the explosives and Forellis men took care of any Russians. The Tanker sank like a stone. It was the repercussions that were unexpected.
The very next day Liberty City was rocked to its foundations as Tommy and Vladimir showed the extant of their wrath. Within the space of an hour
8 Ball's body shop was bombed, the authorities reached the scene and discovered 8 Ball's mutilated body in the nearby car crusher.
Joey Leone's garage was set ablaze
Joey's girlfriend Misty's apartment was bombed. With Misty inside,
Marcos Bistro was also bombed, killing several of Giorgio's underbosses.
Tony Cipriati's restaurant was obliterated with Mama Cipriati inside.
Sex Club 7 and Salvatore's Gentlemen's Club were destroyed by another bomb. Several Leone Underbosses and Luigi Gortelli were killed.