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The Chronicles of Vladimir
One of the more obscure themes that has run through the Stranglers' work in the 1980's has been that of Vladimir's adventures. Five episodes chronicle his enforced journeys within Soviet society and his eventual escape. Recently (from Volume 2, Number 41 onwards), Strangled magazine (SIS UK) has been publishing these chronicles, as illustrated by Jon Peachy. However, the audio versions of these narratives are particularly difficult to find, as all but one appear on "B" sides and (to the best of my knowledge) only one can be found on CD. Below is a summary of the contents and whereabouts of each instalment.

Vladimir and Olga
The full title of this instalment is "(The strange circumstances which lead to) Vladimir and Olga ('requesting' rehabilitation in a Siberian health resort as a result of stress in furthering the people's policies)" and it is accredited to "The Upper Volga Corngrowers Co-operative Association Choral Dance Troop Ensemble". It appears as the "B" side of both 7" and 12" versions of the 1983 single "Midnight Summer Dream" (Epic, A3167 and A13-3167, respectively).
On-route to Odessa, with his wife, Olga, and their children, Vladimir falls victim to "Bread Mould Madness", from the lunch consumed at an inn. In Odessa, Vladimir stops the car in the middle of an intersection, and gets out to dance and laugh at the insignificance of his life (causing a major traffic jam in the process).

Vladimir and Sergei
Strangely enough, this is not actually a Stranglers track, in the purest sense. It appears on the 1983 album "Fire and Water" by JJ Burnel and Dave Greenfield (Epic, EPC 25707).
Following the Odessa incident, Vladimr and Olga have spent several years in a "health resort" in the Urals. On completion of their treatment, Vladimir is employed in a tractor plant in Siberia (rather than being allowed to return to teaching sub-nuclear particle physics!). When Olga is sent back for another spell of treatment, Vladimir becomes close to Sergei, who is a sailor. Following Sergei's return to his ship, the authorities appear during the night to cure Vladimir of this new "illness".

Vladimir and the Beast (Part III)
This episode appears on the "B" side of the 12" version (only) of the 1984 single "Skin Deep" (Epic, TA 4738).
Vladimir is enlisted in the Soviet forces in Afghanistan. Here, he encounters a wired Soviet army and nurtures a close relationship with Dimitri, his camel. His superiors send him to convalesce in the German Democratic Republic.

Vladimir goes to Havana
This could well be the most difficult instalment to obtain as it only appears on the "B" side of the collector's edition of the 1985 single "Let Me Down Easy"; it should be noted that although this is on a 12" disc, there is also an "ordinary" 12" version of this record which does not include the Vladimir entry.
Vladimir talks the Soviet authorities into allowing him to go to Havana, to work for a university colleague from his lecturing days. Shortly after arriving, he comes across a group intent on smuggling drugs into the US, although he fails to understand exactly what is going on.

Viva Vlad!
The final (released) chapter of the Vladimir story can be found on the "B" side of all the released versions of the 1987 single "All Day and All of the Night". These Epic releases include a 7" single (VICE 1), 12" single (VICE T1), shaped picture disc (VICE P1) and CD single (CD VICE 1).
Vladimir is detained by the Havana police and set adrift in a small dingy. He eventually washes up on the shores of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, and is befriended by a local bar-owner. He changes his identity and determines to head for Miami, Florida, on realizing how close it is........

Vladimir and the Pearl
Some time ago, users of the (now discontinued) SIS phone service were able to listen to a demo version of the latest installment of the Vlad chronicles. Titled "Vladimir and the Pearl" and created by JJ and Dave, this track was still awaiting drums.