Omega Red is a Russian mutant formerly employed as a "super-soldier" by the country known previously as the Soviet Union. He possesses superhuman strength and durability, and has long coils made of carbonadium implanted in his arms which he can project from openings in his wrists to ensnare an opponent. He secretes pheromones that are lethal to other persons and then drains their life forces to sustain his own. Omega Red currently serves Matsuo Tsurayaba who revived him from suspended animation to capture Wolverine. Omega Red defeated Wolverine and brought him to Tsurayaba. Omega Red had previously battled Wolverine, along with Maverick and Sabretooth, thirty years earlier when this trio tried to rescue double agent Janice Hollenbeck and the carbonadium synthesizer. Omega Red battled the X-Men and was wounded in combat by Psylocke and then defeated by the X-Men and Maverick, though he still managed to escape. Later, Omega Red battled and fell under the mental control of the Soul Skinner in Siberia. The Soul Skinner then used him to battle Wolverine and the X-Men. Omega Red captured Wolverine and Jubilee but escaped after the Soul Skinner's death. Omega Red also had a brush with the Generation X team, was defeated by them, and disappeared.