FBI: International: 5 villains that gave the Fly Team their toughest cases

FBI: International is the third chapter in Dick Wolf's FBI franchise. The show first aired on CBS on September 21, 2021, and set itself apart by replacing the usual American cityscapes with the unpredictable streets and rural roads of Europe, and occasionally beyond. This global emphasis isn't just for show; it's central to what sends FBI: International soaring, dropping the team into a maze of fresh variables from local jurisdiction to high-wire diplomatic tensions and chasing threats to American citizens abroad.

Behind the action is the"Fly Team," a handpicked group of specially trained FBI agents out of Budapest. While their counterparts on the home front back in the U.S. might spend their time focusing on domestic matters, these agents stand poised to address emergencies involving Americans or U.S. interests anywhere on the globe, with most of their cases unfolding in Europe.

Their activity ranges from busting up terrorism networks and dismembering organized crime groups to conducting high-risk hostage rescues and untangling international conspiracies. To get it all done, they need sharp detective instincts, real guts, and a diplomatic touch, especially when combining with local police agencies or acting under varying jurisdictions.

Leading the original Fly Team is Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester, a no-nonsense, by-the-book commander who never loses sight of the mission. His second in command is Special Agent Jamie Kellett, a veteran detective with street smarts.

Rounding out the team are Special Agent Andre Raines, who, with his forensic accounting expertise, follows money trails dirty to the bad guys; and West Point alumnus Special Agent Cameron Vo, a master interrogator.

They are aided by Europol liaison Megan "Smitty" Garretson, who helps guide them through Europe's political and cultural landscape, and later by tech analyst Amanda Tate, who exposes them to the latest computer gadgets and gizmos.

In four seasons, FBI: International has kept viewers hooked with globe-trotting action, terrifying plots, and villains as varied as they are lethal.

Whether they are terrorists and spies, arms dealers, or devious masterminds, these foes have taken the Fly Team to the edge, testing their abilities, their devotion to each other, and the Bureau's mission.

Now, we’ll take a closer look at seven of the most unforgettable villains they’ve faced, unpacking the episodes they shook up, the toll they took on the team, and how those nail-biting showdowns ultimately played out.

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FBI: International: 7 villains who pushed the Fly Team to their limits

Greg Csonka (Season 4, episode 8: “You’ll never see it coming”)

Greg Csonka crashes his way into the world of FBI: International as one of the series's most ruthless villains.

In season 4, episode 8, we find him on trial in Budapest for killing a business associate in Los Angeles, just one of many offenses checked on his resume. The Fly Team is laser-focused on making sure that he finally gets some justice served. But Csonka isn't the type to let a prison sentence keep him grounded.

Even after he's convicted and looking at 30 years in prison, he orchestrates a jaw-dropping escape. His escape is a masterclass in pre-crime strategy: it entails a staged accident that opens up to a brutal ambush of the FBI motorcade. He doesn't shy away from violence if it is a means of remaining on the loose.

It only takes a turn for the worse when the manhunt team attacks him in a bid to recapture him. During the manhunt, Special Agent Cameron Vo is shot by a sniper. It is a gut-punch for the team, who are suddenly faced with the very real possibility of losing one of their own.

At the end of the FBI: International episode, Csonka is still on the loose, Vo's fate hangs in the balance, and the team is left reeling. It's proof that in their line of work, even the best-laid plans can end up in chaos.

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Dasha (Season 1, episode 5: "The soul of chess")

Dasha brings a whole new level of threat to the FBI: International. This shadowy figure is tied to the Russian military and appears in the story after a U.S. journalist is poisoned in Krakow, Poland. In short order, the Fly Team finds itself in the middle of a high-stakes international spy vs. spy.

No one's really certain who Dasha actually is—a high-level informant, a double agent, or something in between. The team discovers the journalist's murder is one part of a larger CIA operation to drive Dasha out, which translates into handling not only a potential traitor, but also allies who keep way too many secrets.

The danger is ratcheted up when a Russian assassin aims at Kellett with a rare radioactive poison. It forces the crew to work under high pressure and serves as a reminder that being too close to global spycraft can be deadly.

Finally, Dasha vanishes, leaving more questions than answers. The group manages to stop the immediate threat, but they are left with their backs against the wall, knowing that someone like Dasha can pop up at any given time.

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Viktor Beniaminov (Season 1, episode 3: "Secrets as weapons")

Viktor Beniaminov joins the fray in season 1 of FBI: International as a suave Russian arms dealer whose criminal reach extends across international boundaries. His method of operation is peddling first-class weapons and sensitive data, all protected by encrypted communications and a couple of good payoffs.

When a stash of stolen guns directly traces back to Beniaminov's operation, the Fly Team goes in. But taking him down is no cakewalk. He's always one step ahead, forcing the team to rely heavily on Europol partners and think outside the box.

The probe pushes everyone to the limit of endurance. Finally, after some fine police work and unrelenting cooperation, they manage to arrest Beniaminov. However, the episode concludes with a threatening suggestion that his operation is far from finished.

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Emil Varga (Season 2, episode 7: "A proven liar")

In season 2, episode 7 of FBI: International, Emil Varga shows that you don't need to have guns or bombs to be lethal. This sophisticated con artist carries out shady financial scams, identity theft, and blackmail to cause destruction. He's well skilled at working loopholes and charming individuals into believing him, which makes him slippery prey for any police unit.

Varga's new scheme puts an American diplomat in its crosshairs, and it's up to the Fly Team to get to work before it becomes an outright international crisis. Tracing him involves delving into the dark world of cybercrime and high finance—something where Varga is an absolute guru.

The chase is a big challenge of Raines's forensic accounting expertise and compels the team to leave their standard playbook behind. They ultimately capture Varga, but not until he does a lot of damage and nearly escapes.

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Katarina Milos (Season 2, episode 13: "Indefensible")

Katarina Milos is seen in season 2 of FBI: International as a creepy character herself—a Serbian war criminal wanted for several of the Balkan wars' most heinous atrocities. When she comes under surveillance by the intelligence communities, the Fly Team jumps at the chance to catch her.

Milos is not an easy target. She has spent years constructing a network of loyal followers and crooked bureaucrats who keep her under the cover. Her offenses—mass murder, torture, human trafficking—are abhorrent, and the individuals shielding her will not think twice about resorting to violence to continue keeping her at liberty.

FBI: International agents are required to collaborate with local police and navigate all the political skulduggery that comes with war crimes cases. After a heart-thumping chase and dramatic confrontation, they finally manage to arrest Milos and send her to The Hague to face trial.

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