Based on real life Ivan Dushnalavsky, a Ukrainian born Bolshevik who was a adjunct-major in the Red Army in the 34th infrantry in Lozovya. He was held at a gulag following the arrest of his granfather for a jewish conspiracy of collusion with the U.S., eventually fleeing the USSR along with many members of his family.
Became Commisar for Commerce and Vice Premier under Janos Kadar of the Hungarian peoples Republic.