You really do like to get into the story of this game, don't you?
Anyway...
He was probably exiled because there was a pro-Soviet regime in place, and he was talking smack about them or something like that. They probably sent out an arrest warrent, and he chose it was time to get the hell out of Dodge. He spent a few years in the militaries of other nations (where he met Gastovski). Liz's husband, Adam, died (I'm assuming) on a mission. (That is inferred in the opening cutscene.) He probably told Adam he'd take care of Liz when he died, hence the 'do you need anything' and 'give me a call if you need something', etc. Plus, the conversation he had with his buddy on the ride to Petrovice helped clear up some stuff.
When things on Nogova heated up and the anti-government protests started, Victor decided he could return and help overthrow the government. They succeeded, and that is how he came to be a hero. The events from Resistance happen, and he is 'supposedly' killed. If you don't know what I mean by supposedly, check out Sanctuary's pics in the combat photograhy thread (pg 117) of what really happened to Victor.
BTW: What's this got to do with scripting?