In 1946 a soldier fathers a child and dies before his birth. Six years later, the mother and the child meet a handsome soldier in a train. An incredible story of much deceptions, heartbreaks and betrayals ensue.

Based on a true story of the 9th company during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Young Soviet Army recruits are sent from boot camp directly into the war in Afghanistan. Real war is not like boot camp at all. This inexperienced company is sent to defend a difficult position, a task which may be beyond their capabilities.

A Russian army patrol is ambushed by Caucasian rebels and two survivors are taken prisoner, by a local patriarch who is hoping to barter them for the release of his captured son. A bond of understanding develops between the soldiers and their captors, but it is broken when plans for their release go awry and a chain of violence and retaliation is precipitated.