Editing Kelly Yukinov

{{Update Needed|[[Hector (short story)]]|[[The Day After]]|[[The Memory of Pain]]|[[Making a Name]]}}
{{InfoBoxCharacter
| image               = 
| caption             = Kelly Yukinov
| name                = 
| birthdate           = 
| died                = 
| othernames          = 
| affiliation         = [[Wolf's Dragoons]]
| rank                = Brevet Colonel
| title               = 
| position            = 
| profession          = 
| parents             = 
| siblings            = 
| spouse              = 
| children            = [[Joshua Yukinov]]<ref name=MWDADPCp12>''MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards'', p. 12: "Collin Yukinov profile"</ref>
}}

'''Kelly Yukinov''' was an officer and eventual commander of [[Alpha Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Alpha Regiment]] in the [[Wolf's Dragoons]] [[mercenary]] command.

==History==
[[File:Wdragoons.gif|right|thumb|Emblem of Wolf's Dragoons]]
===Early Life and Career===
As was the case with most of the "original" Dragoons, little is known of Yukinov’s early life. It is highly likely he was born on the [[Clan Homeworlds]], almost certainly a [[freeborn]] birth. At some point, he was chosen to join Wolf's Dragoons, who were performing reconnaissance for the [[Clans]] in the [[Inner Sphere]].

By [[3023]] at a relatively young age, Yukinov had not only earned the rank of [[Major]] within the Dragoons, he was in command of the Dragoons lead unit, Able Battalion (nicknamed the "Wolf's Own") of Alpha Regiment. While in the absence of [[Colonel]] [[Jaime Wolf]], Yukinov would serve as Brevet Colonel in command of the whole regiment.<ref name=WD48>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 48</ref> This made him one of the most important officers in the entire command.<ref name=WD53>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 53</ref> He often even commanded officers holding the rank of Colonel during operations.<ref name=WOB139>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 139</ref> When introducing him, Colonel Wolf himself described him as "the one who really runs Alpha Regiment."<ref name=WOB32>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 32</ref>

===In Service to House Kurita===
In June 3023, Yukinov and Alpha Regiment was part of the Dragoons' heavy raid on the [[Federated Suns]] industrial world of [[Quentin|Quentin IV]] in one of their first actions in service to [[House Kurita]], their new employer.<ref name=WD31>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 31</ref> Alpha was joined by [[Gamma Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Gamma]] and [[Delta Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Delta Regiment]]s.<ref name=WOB32/> It was on Quentin that he would first meet their liaison officer, ''[[Chu-sa#Draconis_Combine_Mustered_Soldiery|Chu-sa]]'' [[Minobu Tetsuhara]].<ref name=WOB32/> The Dragoons would be joined by [[Coordinator]] [[Takashi Kurita]] as well as elements of the [[1st Sword of Light|First]] and [[Seventh Sword of Light]]. Coordinator Takashi wanted to see his new mercenaries in action.<ref>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 34</ref> The Dragoons and their Kuritan allies were opposed by the mercenary units the [[Snake Stompers]], the [[White Witches]] and several planetary militia units.<ref name=WOB4445>''Wolves on the Border'', pp. 44–45</ref> Alpha Regiment faced heavy opposition from the Stompers, who took advantage of the volcanic terrain to ambush and destroy several Dragoon 'Mechs,<ref name=WD31/> even injuring Colonel Wolf.<ref name=WOB61>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 61</ref> While Wolf rested to recover from his injuries, no one questioned it when Yukinov issued orders and instructions on Wolf's behalf.<ref name=WOB63>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 63</ref> Later, when the ranking [[Sword of Light]] officers attempted to provoke Yukinov with disparaging insults, Yukinov allowed them to spearhead the attack on the [[Independence Weaponry]] factories, the primary target of the entire operation. The Kuritans, supported by the Dragoons, recklessly assaulted the defenders, costing them several 'Mechs and warriors in the process with little regard the losses.<ref name=WOB7576>''Wolves on the Border'', pp. 75–76</ref> Yukinov protested when the Kuritans claimed salvage rights of the matériel in the factory, but was later overruled by Colonel Wolf and the Coordinator.<ref name=WOB7779>''Wolves on the Border'', pp. 77–79</ref> Nevertheless, the overall operation was a resounding victory for the Dragoons.<ref name=WD31/>

Yukinov, Alpha Regiment and the rest of the Dragoons continued to serve the Combine very well over the course of their contract, raiding many border worlds of House Davion's [[Draconis March]] while garrisoning several worlds in the [[Galedon Military District]]. They nevertheless made political enemies within the Combine's high command.<ref name=WD3234>''Wolf's Dragoons'', pp. 32–34</ref>

In September [[3026]], Yukinov commanded a force including Alpha Regiment, [[Zeta Battalion]] and a battalion of ''[[Ryuken]]'', Tetsuhara's experimental force based on the Dragoon doctrine, in an assault on [[Barlow's End]]. In addition to providing the ''Ryuken'' training unit with combat experience, the main objective of the operation was to secure an experimental jump stabilizer that was being developed.<ref name=WD35>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 35</ref> During planning, their new liaison officer, [[Jerry Akuma]] attempted to provoke Yukinov and the other Dragoon officers when Yukinov pointed out that enemy resistance was stronger than anticipated.<ref name=WOB137141>''Wolves on the Border'', pp. 137–141</ref> Akuma would later attempt to assassinate Tetsuhara and Yukinov in a bombing at their base camp, seriously injuring both commanders.<ref name=WOB143147>''Wolves on the Border'', pp. 143–147</ref>  The battle for Barlow's End soon turned into a fiasco, as elements of the elite [[Eridani Light Horse]] were discovered on planet,<ref name=WD35/><ref>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 153</ref> and soon began putting pressure on the Dragoons. With Colonel [[J. Elliot Jamison]] of Zeta Battalion in command of the Dragoons on-planet, command of the ''Ryuken'' forces fell to ''[[Tai-sa#Draconis_Combine_Mustered_Soldiery|Tai-sa]]'' [[Elijah Satoh]], an incompetent officer who blindly followed the original plan approved by [[Tai-shu|Warlord]] [[Grieg Samsonov]].<ref name=WD35/><ref>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 155</ref><ref name=WOB181182>''Wolves on the Border'', pp. 181–182</ref> Jamison and Tetsuhara's aide, [[Michi Noketsuna]], were eventually forced to lead their forces in a withdrawal.<ref name=WD35/>

Yukinov survived his injuries, but lost an arm and a leg.<ref name=WD35/> With state-of-the-art [[Myomer|myomer]] prosthetics provided by the Dragoons' [[Star League]]-era tech, he was able to return to active duty by late November. He soon began rapidly bringing Alpha Regiment up to full strength through rigorous training.<ref name=WOB181182/> Alpha Regiment was assigned to garrison [[Delacruz]].<ref name=WOB186>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 186</ref>

===Misery and the Fourth Succession War===
In January [[3028]], relations between the Combine and the Dragoons exploded on [[An Ting]] into open violence. Although Yukinov and the bulk of Alpha Regiment was not present, the course of the Dragoons was now clear.<ref name=WD3637>''Wolf’s Dragoons'', pp. 36–37</ref>

In April 3028, Alpha Regiment joined the rest of the Dragoon units on [[Misery]]. The [[Battle of Misery]] was one of the largest, most bloody 'Mech battles in history, as all five Dragoon regiments, along with Zeta Battalion and the [[Black Widow Company]], faced off against the ''Ryuken'', now built up to four regiments, along with the [[Seventeenth Galedon Regulars]], the [[Twenty-first Galedon Regulars]], and the elite [[Eighth Sword of Light]]. The Kuritan force would be led by newly-promoted ''[[Tai-sho_(rank)#Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery|Tai-sho]]'' Minobu Tetsuhara, acting under the orders of Warlord Samsonov.<ref>''Wolves on the Border'', p. 294</ref> Though the Dragoons would eventually prove triumphant, the cost in men and machines was astronomical.<ref name=WD3738>''Wolf’s Dragoons'', pp. 37–38</ref> During the battle, Yukinov was injured and his 'Mech was destroyed as he led his battalion in heavy fighting,<ref name=WD53/> while the other three members of Yukinov’s command lance were killed.<ref name=WD49>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 49</ref> Able Battalion took 75 percent equipment losses on Misery,<ref name=WD48/> and Alpha Regiment as a whole was ultimately forced to reorganize into five provisional companies.<ref name=WD39>''Wolf's Dragoons'', p. 39</ref>

Yukinov took two months to recover from his injuries, and to become accustomed to a replacement 'Mech.<ref name=WD53/> With Colonel Wolf on [[Terra]] at the wedding of [[First Prince of the Federated Suns|First Prince]] [[Hanse Davion]] to [[Archon-Designate]] [[Melissa Steiner]], Yukinov took command of Alpha Regiment and the Black Widow Company at their new assignment of [[Glenmora]]. They were just in time for the beginning of the [[Fourth Succession War]].<ref name=WD3940>''Wolf’s Dragoons'', pp. 39–40</ref>

Glenmora was assaulted by the [[Fifth Galedon Regulars]], commanded by ''[[Brigadier_General#Draconis_Combine_Mustered_Soldiery|Sho-sho]]'' [[Li Dok To]]. While personally scouting the enemy, Yukinov and his lancemates found themselves in a firefight. Knocked unconscious early in the fight, Yukinov's 'Mech computer triggered his ejection seat when his [[fusion engine]] was about to explode.

Glenmora Air Rescue managed to retrieve Yukinov in a daring rescue that saw two [[VTOL|helicopter]]s shot down by Kuritan 'Mechs, but his injuries rendered him unable to return to duty for several months. Command on Glenmora fell to Major [[Coshasa DuKirk]].<ref name=WD40>''Wolf’s Dragoons'', p. 40</ref><ref>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1'', p. 72</ref> Yukinov would not return to duty until after the [[Battle of Crossing (Fourth Succession War)|battle]] of [[Crossing]].

===Rebuilding and the War of 3039===
Yukinov would remain with Alpha Regiment as the Dragoons traveled to their new home of [[Outreach]] for rebuilding. Though it would take several years and the help of Natasha Kerensky's [[Black Widow Battalion]], Alpha Regiment would return to active duty with the same elite level of competence and reputation they had always enjoyed.<ref>''Mercenary's Handbook 3055'', pp. 33–34</ref>

Alpha Regiment would see action during the [[War of 3039]], where they were rotated to [[Caph]] along with the rest of the Dragoons in preparation for an eventual strike at [[Dieron]]. Caph was soon attacked by the rebuilt ''[[Ryuken-san]]'' and ''[[Ryuken-ni]]'' regiments, sent by now Warlord Michi Noketsuna, in the hopes that destroying enough enemy supplies could postpone an attack on the [[Dieron Military District|district]] capital. Despite their old hatreds from Misery, the fighting on Caph was somewhat anticlimactic, as the ''Ryuken'' managed to evade a trap by the Dragoons and the [[Davion Assault Guards]]. The Dragoons took moderate losses overall, and while the ''Ryuken'' troops took heavier damage, they were successful in damaging the base of the [[Thirty-third Avalon Hussars]] before making an orderly withdrawal.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 61, 63, 141</ref>

Alpha and the still understrength Delta Regiment were then rotated to [[Hsien]], which was under attack by the [[Third Free Worlds Guards]]. Learning of the Dragoons' approach, the [[Free Worlds League]] [[FWLM|troops]] withdrew before the Dragoons could make planetfall.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'', pp. 120, 141</ref>

===Clan Invasion===
By [[3050]], Yukinov was a Colonel and commander of Alpha Regiment in rank as well as in fact, and his command was once again considered one of the most elite units in the entire Inner Sphere. Alpha frequently took on the highest profile assignments for the Dragoons, always setting the bar for professionalism in the field while drawing unwanted attention away from the activities of other Dragoon units.<ref name=FMM98>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 98</ref>

When the [[Clan Invasion]] finally struck, Alpha and all other Dragoon units were recalled to Outreach. After conferring amongst themselves, Colonel Wolf invited the leaders of the [[Successor States]] to Outreach, where he revealed the Dragoons origins, pledged his troops to the defense of the Inner Sphere from the [[Clans]], and began training their leaders and heirs in tactics to defend their beleaguered realms. Wolf contracted Alpha and the other line regiments out to the [[Federated Commonwealth]]. To the surprise of almost all, Hanse Davion did not send the Dragoons to his own Clan front to oppose the invading [[Clan Jade Falcon|Jade Falcons]], but rather sent them and the [[Kell Hounds]] to [[Luthien]] to [[Battle of Luthien (3052)|help defend the Combine's capital]] from [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] and [[Clan Nova Cat]]. With Colonel Wolf back on the field with Alpha Regiment, the Dragoons fought alongside Takashi Kurita, as well as [[Theodore Kurita|Theodore]] and [[Hohiro Kurita II|Hohiro Kurita]]. Though both the Kuritans and their mercenary allies all took heavy losses, they successfully repulsed the invaders in a stunning victory.<ref>''Luthien'', p. 26, 86</ref><ref>''Mercenary's Handbook 3055'', p. 35</ref><ref name=FMM96>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 96</ref>

Wolf quickly worked to rebuild the Dragoons from their losses, incorporating ''[[sibko]]'' cadets, war orphan trainees who had come of age and captured Clan [[Bondsman|bondsmen]], as well as the remaining "original" Dragoons.<ref name=MH55-35>''Mercenary’s Handbook 3055'', p. 35</ref>

Alpha Regiment soon returned to action. In [[3053]], they were contracted by the [[Capellan Confederation]] to raid the planet [[Brighton]] in the [[St. Ives Compact]]. [[Chancellor]] [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] was offering a premium on the contract employing the whole regiment when intelligence reports suggested only a reinforced battalion would have been needed. This raises the suspicions of Colonel [[Stanford Blake]], head of [[Wolfnet]], who considered the Capellans were withholding information about the operation.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 49–50</ref>

In [[3054]], Yukinov would take part in high-level Dragoon meetings when Takashi Kurita had a challenge to single combat delivered to Jaime Wolf, offering to end their feud once and for all.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', p. 140</ref> A few months later when Jaime Wolf’s son and second-in-command, [[Mackenzie Wolf]], was killed by [[pirates]] in the [[Periphery]], Wolf had planned to name Yukinov his new second-in-command.<ref>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 264–267</ref> Events, however, would prevent this.

===Wolf Pack===
Tensions on Outreach between the disparate factions within the Dragoons broke into open hostility when [[Elson Novacat]], a bondsman Elemental officer, and [[Alpin Wolf]], Colonel Wolf’s grandson, led a coup against him.<ref name=FMM96/><ref name=MH55-35/><ref name=WP>''Wolf Pack''</ref> As part of their plan, they created false reports that Yukinov and Alpha Regiment were on their way to Outreach when they were on [[Ingersoll]] in the Capellan Confederation. Other reports indicated that Alpha was on [[Crimond]] in the Federated Commonwealth, defending against Clan activity.<ref name=WP296297>''Wolf Pack'', pp. 296–297</ref> Colonel Wolf eventually led a [[Dragoon Civil War|successful rebellion]] against the usurpers, retaking overall command of the Dragoons. Yukinov placed the contract above the internal concerns of the Dragoons, which would be consistent for a unit like Alpha Regiment, committed to upholding the Dragoons' impeccable reputation. Though Yukinov would have personally supported Colonel Wolf, his own code of conduct effectively rendered Alpha Regiment neutral in the conflict. Jaime Wolf ultimately prevailed, and a new doctrine would eventually ease the integration of the various Dragoons into a cohesive command.<ref name=FMM96/><ref name=MH55-35/><ref name=WP/>

In the conflict’s aftermath and through the new rebuilding and reorganization process under [[General]] [[Maeve Wolf]], Yukinov would continue to command Alpha Regiment.<ref>''Mercenary’s Handbook 3055'', p. 39</ref> Alpha was reinforced with an expanded command company, an attached light and medium [[Combat Vehicle|armor]] battalion, and an attached [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elemental]] [[Trinary]].<ref name=FMM98/> Despite their losses, the Dragoons had emerged stronger than ever before.

During an incursion into the [[Lyran Alliance]] by Clan Jade Falcon, [[Morges]] in the [[Arc-Royal Defense Cordon]] was attacked. Yukinov and Alpha Regiment were instrumental in the planet’s successful defense, fighting alongside the [[Twentieth Arcturan Guards]] and the [[Fourth Skye Rangers]].<ref name=FMMR114>''Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised'', p. 114</ref>

In 3066, Alpha began training exercises with [[Gamma Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Gamma]] and Delta Regiments, in preparation for seeing action against [[Clan Ghost Bear]].<ref name=FMMR114/>

By [[3067]], Alpha Regiment had been further expanded under General Maeve Wolf’s new tactical doctrine when their armor and Elemental units were increased to regimental size and a regiment of [[aerospace fighter]]s, made up of three [[Wing (Military Unit)#Capellan Confederation|wing]]s, was permanently attached. While this slightly diminished overall unit quality in the short-term, it gave Alpha a tactical flexibility matched only by [[Regimental_Combat_Team#Regimental_Combat_Team|Regimental Combat Teams]].<ref name=FMMR114/> In addition, 75 percent of their BattleMech forces had been upgraded to Clan [[OmniMech]]s.<ref name=FMU183>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 183</ref>

===Jihad===
As of early October 3067, Yukinov and Alpha Regiment had been contracted by the Draconis Combine, based on [[Najha]] on the [[Clan Ghost Bear|Ghost Bear]] border.<ref name=FMU183/> By this time, Yukinov had finally discussed retiring once the regiment's current contract was concluded.<ref name=FMMR114/>

On October 15, 3067, rogue [[mercenaries]] led by Colonel [[Wayne Waco]] launched a surprise attack on Harlech City on Outreach at the beginning of the [[Jihad]]. During the fighting, [[Epsilon Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Epsilon Regiment]] and the [[Home Guard (Wolf's Dragoons)|Home Guard]] ground forces were effectively destroyed, while Zeta Battalion, the [[Wolf Spider Battalion]] and [[Beta Regiment (Wolf's Dragoons)|Beta Regiment]] all took heavy damage before eliminating the rogue mercenaries. Jaime Wolf himself was killed while slaying Wayne Waco. [[Wolfnet]] intelligence soon concluded the attacks had been sponsored by the [[Word of Blake]] in response to Dragoon opposition to the Word in the [[Chaos March]].<ref>''Shadows of Faith''</ref>

When Alpha Regiment and General Maeve Wolf reached Outreach, they found it in flames. [[Battle of Mars|Taskforce Vengeance]], the [[Allied Mercenary Command]]’s attack on [[Terra|Mars]] in the Terra system, had ended in disaster. The Word had responded by sending their [[6th Division (Word of Blake)|6th]] and [[10th Division (Word of Blake)|10th Division]]s, as well as a fleet of [[WarShip]]s, to Outreach to bathe the mercenaries in blood. The Wolf Spider Battalion and remnants of Gamma Regiment had pushed the Blakists back, only to have their [[Broadsword Legion]] allies turn on them. Alpha Brigade managed to inflict severe damage on the Blakist fleet in orbit before turning the tide on the ground. It was at that point that the remaining Word of Blake WarShips in orbit launched strategic orbital bombardment against the Dragoon ground forces. General Maeve Wolf was forced to order a retreat, and the surviving Dragoons sacrificed their last WarShip to retreat to [[Arc-Royal]].<ref>''Dawn of the Jihad'', p. 36</ref><ref name=SBWB1617>''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake'', pp. 16–17</ref> Yukinov's fate remains unknown.

==Personality and Traits==
Like most Dragoon officers, Yukinov was an elite MechWarrior.<ref name=WD49/> For much of his early career, Yukinov was considered something of a ladies' man, an accomplished bachelor. When commanding Alpha Regiment in Wolf's absence, many considered him an even tougher commander than the esteemed Colonel.<ref name=WD53/> By all accounts, he was highly competent both as a battalion commander and as brevet Colonel in command of the whole regiment.<ref name=WD48/> As a full Colonel and permanent commander of Alpha, Yukinov had returned from so many life-threatening injuries that he was considered almost invincible by his troops.<ref name=FMM98/> Indeed, in his later years, he was nicknamed "The Invincible Ironman."<ref name=FMMR114/>

==BattleMechs==
While in command of Able Battalion, Yukinov, like Jaime Wolf, led while piloting an ''[[Archer]]'' BattleMech. When his ''Archer'' was destroyed on Misery, he switched to a ''[[Phoenix Hawk]]'' that was later destroyed on Glenmora.<ref name=WD49/> It is presumed he later upgraded to a Clan OmniMech, though the specific chassis has not been reported.<ref name=FMU183/>

==Discrepencies==
* On page 40 of ''[[Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)]]'', it indicates that Yukinov was still piloting his ''Archer'' when the battle for Glenmora began. Elsewhere, it is clearly indicated that his ''Archer'' was destroyed on Misery.<ref name=WD49/>
* The novel ''[[Wolf Pack]]'' gives two contradictary locations for Yukinov during the Dragoon Civil War. Ingersoll is in the Capellan Confederation while Crimond was on the Federated Commonwealth-Clan border. Based on the context of the reports, it seems likely that Ingersoll was named incorrectly.<ref name=WP296297/>
* The time when Alpha Regiment fought the Jade Falcons on Morges seems to be in dispute. If it came during the [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)|Falcon Incursion]] of [[3058]] as ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised]]'' seems to suggest, there is no mention of Morges being attacked during that incursion. There is also no mention of Morges being attacked during the [[FedCom Civil War]]'s [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3064)|Falcon Incursion]]. Elements of Wolf's Dragoons and the [[Skye Rangers]] did repel a Jade Falcon attack circa [[3053]], but Alpha Regiment was not counted among those forces, and it took place some time before the Dragoon Civil War.<ref name=FMMR114/>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
<div class="desktop-3-col">
* ''[[Dawn of the Jihad]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries, Revised]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[Luthien (scenario pack)|Luthien]]''
* ''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards]]''
* ''[[Mercenary's Handbook 3055]]''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1]]''
* ''[[Shadows of Faith]]''
* ''[[Starterbook: Wolf and Blake]]''
* ''[[Wolf Pack]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)|Wolf's Dragoons]]''
* ''[[Wolves on the Border]]'' (novel)
</div>

[[Category:Wolf's Dragoons Characters|Yukinov, Kelly]]