Vladimir Vasiliev (martial arts)

Vladimir Vasiliev is the director and chief instructor of the Toronto School of Russian Martial Arts located in Thornhill, Ontario, where he teaches Ryabko's Systema as the top student of Mikhail Ryabko. V. Vasiliev has allegedly served in the Russian Special Forces. Known associates of Vasiliev, such as Saulius "Sonny" Puzikas have spoken of past association with the MVD (Ministry of Interior affairs), leading to the conclusion that V. Vasiliev operated as a member of Spetsnaz MVD for 10 years (according to his website's biography). Known ties with Mikhail Ryabko, master of Vasiliev, seem to back up Vasiliev's claims, as Ryabko holds official positions within the Russian government (advisor to the Ministry of Justice), and also is a Russian army Colonel.

His website states that he has personally trained and certified over 100 qualified Russian Martial Art instructors in 13 countries, and has created a number of instructional films.

He is the author of The Russian System Guidebook and co-authored Let Every Breath... Secrets of the Russian Breath Masters with Scott Meredith.