Anatoly

Anatoly is a Russian-speaking driver and enforcer who appears briefly but decisively during the Amsterdam phase of the novel, working under Boris Pavlikovsky. He is first encountered when Boris summons him to drive Theodore Decker and himself to Newark Airport for their flight to the Netherlands. Anatoly speaks no English — Boris explicitly notes this — and communicates only in Russian and Ukrainian, which reinforces the closed, insular world of Boris's criminal network. His physical appearance is marked by jailhouse-style tattoos: indigo crowns and starbursts on his hands, resembling the patterns on Ukrainian Easter eggs, and knuckle tattoos that suggest time served. Boris introduces him with the casual nickname "Toly" and treats him as a reliable, if rough-edged, subordinate.

Role in the Amsterdam Operation

Anatoly's primary function is logistical support. He drives the group to the airport, and later, after Boris and Theo have secured the painting from the De Paarse Koe cafe, he is part of the team that divides the reward money. When Boris decides to drive to Antwerp rather than fly, Anatoly is tasked with picking up Boris's car and meeting them. During the tense aftermath of the shootout in the Overtoom parking garage, Anatoly is not present — he has already left with Victor Cherry and Shirley Temple — but Boris later calls him to coordinate the escape. His absence from the violence underscores his role as a behind-the-scenes operator rather than a frontline combatant.

Relationship with Boris and the Group

Anatoly is portrayed as a loyal but somewhat anxious member of Boris's crew. When Boris offers him a share of the reward money, Anatoly hesitates and tries to pass it to Shirley Temple, showing a reluctance to handle large sums or take credit. Boris reassures him with a casual "Davaye" ("go on"), indicating a long-standing trust. Anatoly's concern about parking tickets and his careful driving suggest a man who, despite his criminal associations, tries to avoid unnecessary attention. His brief appearance — limited to two evidence units — paints him as a competent, if minor, cog in the machinery of Boris's world, a figure who exists in the shadows of the main action.