Arkady Bulganin was an Earth Union citizen and a non-commissioned officer of the Customs Patrol. Originally from Russia, he enlisted in 226 PD, never disclosing that he suffered from asthma. After demerits for brawling, drunken-and-disorderly conduct, and "political agitation" (for protesting against the Neo Luddite government) he was eventually sent to the Jupiter moon of Callisto as a Sergeant of the 18th Security and Protection Group.