<Li> The main protagonist , Yuri Orlov , is loosely based on several people . <Ul> <Li> His character as the world 's arms dominator is based on Lebanese - Armenian arms dealer Sarkis Soghanalian . </Li> <Li> He shares his surname with Oleg Orlov , a Russian businessman arrested in Ukraine on suspicion of smuggling missiles to Iran . In 2007 , Oleg Orlov was strangled in Kiev 's Lukyanivska Prison during the investigation into his activities . </Li> <Li> TV channel History claims that Orlov 's life is based on Viktor Bout , a convicted arms dealer notorious for smuggling arms and other merchandise through several aviation - company fronts . </Li> <Li> His background is loosely inspired by that of Semion Mogilevich , a Ukrainian - born suspected mastermind in Russian organized crime . </Li> <Li> The way he was imprisoned and later released resembles Edwin P. Wilson , a retired US intelligence officer who smuggled arms for Libya . </Li> </Ul> </Li>
who was the lord of war based on
Sarkis Soghanalian Semion Mogilevich Edwin P. Wilson Oleg Orlov