Who is Captain Andre Prelov from Raise the Titanic! and what is their importance?

Captain Andre Prelov is a Russian intelligence officer who holds a high position in the Soviet Navy's Department of Foreign Intelligence. He lives in a plush apartment on the Moscow River and has a penchant for Italian sports cars, much to the chagrin of his superiors. His father was a high ranking Party official which tended to protect Prelov's position. His aid, Marganin, reports him as a traitor but is not believed. He is in charge of the operation to prevent the Americans from obtaining the byzanium and arrives by parachute just as the towing begins. Prelov is captured by the Americans and agrees to work for them in the end. His other choice was eventually being released and shot by the KGB.