That controversial 2009 Call of Duty mission is trending again, all because of TikTok.
Players are recording their families' unfiltered reactions to Modern Warfare 2's infamous “No Russian” mission. This has raised questions about its legacy, moral issues, and the role of violence in gaming narratives.
When Modern Warfare 2 was released in 2009, No Russian instantly became one of the most shocking and divisive missions ever in gaming. The level places players in the role of an undercover CIA agent who is forced to participate in a terrorist attack on a Russian airport. The mission’s controversial nature led to mixed reactions, with some defending its risk-taking while others felt it wasn't needed.
The developers threw in a skip option to avoid backlash, but many players still experienced it firsthand. Even though you could skip it, No Russian ended up being a huge moment for Call of Duty. The later games in the series tried to bring back those same feels, like in Modern Warfare 2019, where you play as a kid trying to escape a war, and in Modern Warfare 3, with a plane hijacking moment. But none have hit as hard as No Russian.
By early 2025, TikTok users had begun recording their families’ first reactions to No Russian, showing everything from shock and horror to disbelief. Some viewers were visibly disturbed, questioning whether such a mission should have been included in a mainstream game. Others couldn’t believe this was tied to a blockbuster franchise that millions, including children, had experienced.
One viral TikTok showed a player’s girlfriend watching the mission, her shock turning to full-on horror when she figured out what was going on.
The clip caught on fast, encouraging players to share No Russian with their parents, spouses, and siblings, who usually had the same reactions. Many of the younger generation had never heard of the mission before, which made their first exposure feel even more jarring.
Here are a few more TikTok users taking part in the trend:
While some TikTokers were genuinely surprised, others saw the trend as a nostalgic throwback. Players who've been around a while shared how they went through No Russian as kids, only getting the gravity of it years down the road. Some said they just followed the in-game characters without realizing shooting civilians was optional.
As predicted, No Russian's resurfacing has brought violent video game discussions back to the forefront. The back-and-forth on its ethical side, artistic value, and how it hits emotionally will probably continue, keeping it one of the most talked-about and debated missions in gaming.
However, if anything, this trend shows how video game stories can leave a lasting mark.