Vikhor “Stitch” Kuzmin has escaped captivity once more, but this time he’s been extricated from maximum security detention by his nemesis, Russell Adler, the same operative who imprisoned him in an Icelandic CIA black site prison in the first place.
These two share a deep history to their rivalry—one they’ll have to leave behind them if they hope to accomplish the mission ahead.
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Prepare to deploy as Stitch when he rejoins the fight as part of the Season 04 Battle Pass coming to Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone™.
If you’re new to his story, read on for the main events leading up to this dramatic twist in the search for the Pantheon moles, before returning tomorrow, May 21, for the full Season 04 Announcement Blog, Roadmap, and Gameplay Trailer.
Rebirth R&D: Nova 6 Production
Scanning intelligence reports, it appears to have started on Rebirth Island, where Stitch was placed in charge of production of the chemical gas Nova 6 in the 1960s. Growing up in the Soviet Union, Stitch was recruited by the KGB after graduating top in his class studying organic substances and pharmaceutical chemistry. Once he proved his skills working within the Laboratory 12 R&D facility, Stitch found himself reporting directly to the villainous Colonel Kravchenko for his new assignment on Rebirth Island.
Originally developed by German scientist Friedrich Steiner for use against his country’s enemies in World War II, Nova 6 was seized by those within Stitch’s sphere of influence after thwarting a planned attack. Picking up where Steiner left off, Stitch pushed the island’s facilities to produce countless barrels of the gas, creating a large stockpile of the chemical weapon.
The Eyes Have It: Raid on Rebirth Island
Stitch worked for three years producing Nova 6 until his plans were foiled when the CIA uncovered the truth about Rebirth Island’s facilities in 1968. Led by Grigori Weaver and Jason Hudson, the CIA conducted a successful, but costly raid on the island.
Despite Steiner getting assassinated in the conflict, Adler was able to capture and interrogate Stitch. His efforts proved unsuccessful, however, when Stitch refused to give up more than his name and rank. Eager to send a message, an angered Russell Adler gouged out Stitch’s left eye, cementing their intense rivalry.
A Trip to the Gulag
Returning to his homeland, Stitch was found guilty of dereliction of duty for failing to stop the American raid on Rebirth Island. Kravchenko stripped him of his rank and sent him to the Petropavlovsk Gulag, where he left the name Vikhor Kuzmin behind and emerged as Stitch.
During his captivity, Stitch stewed in his hatred for the West and even his own country, which abandoned him, and his intense desire for vengeance was used to turn him into an agent of Perseus. Then the chance to exact his desires finally came when a deadly attack on the gulag left Stitch MIA.
Setting the Trap
His expertise in the production of Nova 6 and the power it offered was not lost, as it was later discovered Perseus agents were responsible for breaking Stitch free from his imprisonment—members of an international spy ring composed of rogue military operators under the leadership of a mysterious figure. It wasn’t long before the original “Perseus” died, and his protégé Stitch took command of the group, before finally turning his attention to an old foe.
Dropping clues to Adler regarding his return to the fight, Stitch lured the agent to a mall in New Jersey where Nova 6 was secretly being manufactured and stockpiled. He ambushed the agents on site and captured Adler. In a daring scheme to incriminate his old foe, Stitch tried brainwashing Adler using MKUltra techniques while setting his sights on Verdansk.
“Adler… You Took Your Time.”
Adler was able to escape and dismantled Stitch’s operation in Verdansk by detonating explosives beneath the city. After being brought in and deprogrammed by Jason Hudson and Alex Mason in the 11th hour, Adler and the team tracked down his nemesis in the mountainous Kastovian terrain and prepared to end their conflict once and for all.
After an intense stand-off, where Stitch revealed the true origins of Perseus, Adler spared his adversary from execution after realizing he would be of more use alive. Instead, he had Stitch incarcerated at a remote black site prison, off the grid and deep inside the Icelandic interior, tucking him away for a day when Adler might need his particular talents.
And now that day has come. A deal with the devil has been made, as Adler needs Stitch’s help to crack the codenames needed to identify and capture the Pantheon moles.
First Look: Deploy as Stitch, Available in the Season 04 Battle Pass
Control the next step in the villain’s journey as Stitch arrives in the Season 04 Battle Pass for Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone.
Purchase the Battle Pass to instantly unlock the “Supermax” Operator Skin for Stitch. Still in his prison clothes, he deploys in his signature mask ready to join the battle. Other rewards earned in the Battle Pass Instant Rewards Page include a 10% Battle Pass XP boost, a Legendary Emote, Weapon Blueprint, a Large Decal, and up to 1,100 COD Points.
Upgrade to BlackCell to additionally unlock the “Supermax BlackCell” Operator Skin variant. In this version, chains drape over the villain’s body, his sinister stare looking out from under a black hood, energy pulsing under translucent skin.
Ramp up the lethality even further with his “Yard Dog” and “Yard Dog BlackCell” Operator Skins unlocked in the Battle Pass Completion Page. In this look, his mask bears a terrible grin.
To really dig into the rivalry, don’t miss Adler’s “Truth Chaser” and “Truth Chaser BlackCell” Operator Skins on Page 12 of the Battle Pass, a look that twists the events of what happened during their fateful meeting on Rebirth Island.
Grab the Battle Pass when Season 04 launches in Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone and get Stitch back into the field.
Expect the full Season 04 Announcement and Roadmap on May 21.
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