Sofiya Ryzhikova Dragunova was once a decorated commander in the Soviet Armed Forces, leading soldiers through the brutal Soviet-Afghan War. She and her unit fought not only against insurgents but also against the harsh environment and, ultimately, their own government. She died in the conflict towards the end of the losing war. When the conflict ended, the Soviet Union collapsed and Sofiya's men returned home to find themselves discarded and abandoned by the very country they had bled for. With no support from their government or society, many USSR soldiers sought purpose elsewhere, finding refuge in the Russian Mafia, where their skills were valued. It was through these underworld connections that they eventually caught the attention of the Red Dragon, a criminal organisation unlike the rest as they upheld discipline, honour, and respect among their ranks.
Sofiya watched this all unfold from the Netherrealm, meeting Zephyra Ishii who used sorcery to witness ongoing events in Earthrealm that they were missing in their depressing afterlife. Zephyra had likewise died for her cause, a Black Dragon bombing wiping out the Red Dragon's latest training facility that Zephyra had travelled to evaluate the newest crop of rookies. The difference between the two was that Zephyra still believed in her cause. The more Sofiya was shown, the more she started to believe in the Red Dragon too. They teamed up, surviving the Netherrealm together against the countless threats that lingered throughout the infinite lengths of the Nine Planes.