Original subtitles

The enemy now at the gates of Moscow is obvious.

One speaking German and wearing a uniform.

But the enemy you'll be hunting

is hidden.

They can be of Slavic appearance,

sing our Russian songs,

drink vodka by the glass

and have papers in perfect order.

Your job is to make what's hidden

obvious.

Recognize anyone?

No.

- More. - No.

- And now? - No.

More.

Now?

More. Get it together, sergeant.

- More. - No.

- What was your job before the war? - Crop breeder.

- More. - No…

- Recognize them? - No.

- Now? - No.

More.

It's like the wheat and the chaff. More, sergeant.

- No… - More!

Daddy…

Do you have a photo

of someone close?

My daughter.

Great. Children are harder to ID.

Look and remember.

Eyebrows.

- 'Eyebrows' what? - Your daughter's. What are they like?

Long, short, thick, arched, straight? Answer.

- Like these. - Wrong. They're straight.

- The nose? - Regular. Normal.

Wrong. It's straight.

With a raised nostril plane.

Tending towards snub.

The enemy's all around you.

Inside you too.

Stop.

Ivan Mishchenko,

German intel recruiter. Codenames: Baby, Hunhuz, Gladiator.

Born 1905.

It was the month of August. Hot and seemingly endless.

Forests spread, swallowing forsaken fields and charred villages,

hiding in thickets the wrecks of crushed German divisions.

Our troops rolled forward, unstoppable,

towards the borders of the Thousand-Year Reich.

One operation after another:

January Thunder near Leningrad, Bagration in Belarus…

Everyone knew: just one more strike, one more offensive,

and victory is ours.

But August just wouldn't end…

One more bloody year till the end of the war.

Moscow speaking…

A message from the Soviet Informbureau.

Operational report, August 17, 1944.

In the course of the day…

1944 AUGUST 17, THURSDAY

…our troops have been on the offensive.

The army of the 2nd Ukranian Front continues its push…

All right! Your travel sheet, invoices,

and a full confession.

Lieutenant!

Come here.

A second, Comrade Major.

Fix bayonet.

We doing a bayonet charge, Comrade Senior Lieutenant?

As per garrison duty regs, a sentry must gear up by the book.

- Got it? - Aye, sir.

Lieutenant!

Lieutenant…

- I'm waiting, you know. - Dismissed, Corporal.

Senior Lieutenant Tamantsev, Transit & Barrier Command, Lida.

- We're in a hurry. - You want the stamps?

- That's right. - I see.

Pass the papers.

- Here. - I'll just go get my superior.

A superior? Just stamp it yourself.

No can do. Senior officers, from Major up, are searched personally

by the captain.

Call him then.

Put the gun in order.

Comrade Captain! Can you give me a ride

to the Lida train station?

Nope. See that guy?

He's the garrison captain.

He allows it, you get a ride.

Comrade Captain, there's a Major on edge.

I see. So?

Wants to be searched out of turn.

You do that.

A bit full of himself, that one. Like a Persian shah.

I'm afraid I'll snap. Maybe you should, Pavel Vasilyich?

I should why?

You've got higher education. Oozing culture, you know.

- In a good way, I mean. - Comrade Captain…

- look, there's a line! - Good to know!

Unload half of it.

Comrade Captain! Lieutenant Blinov.

- En route to Lida as per the orders. - Later, Lieutenant.

- Can't get a ride without your aye. - I'm busy now.

I'm not loafing either, Captain! My order is to be in Lida.

You concussed or something, huh?!

Aye. Discharged from hospital.

Wait a bit, Lieutenant. I'll get this sorted.

I'll be waiting!

Knock yourself out.

- Captain Alyokhin. - Kept me waiting, Captain.

Check us up.

My wife

and son.

A child at the front?

Where would I leave him?

My wife's parents died, I'm an orphan.

Couldn't put the kid in an orphanage, could I?

Been with us since '41. In retreat and now on the offensive.

Papers from Army Command and Comrade Beria, right here.

Is Lobov in command here?

You mean Major General Lobov, chief of rear-area security?

- Yes, him. - That's right.

I'm only looking.

- Destination? - It's in there.

Ask the driver to step out.

Do it.

Come on now.

Here you go.

Is that it? Can we go?

Hush…

Can we go?

A moment.

The order says you're transporting classified cargo.

It does.

Show it.

Can't do that it. It's secret for a reason. No peeking.

Then I can't let you pass.

What was your name again?

We did the introductions. Captain Alyokhin.

Alyokhin, right… I'll remember.

Please do. Also remember that by garrison rules

I can arrest any soldier, even a Colonel.

Show the cargo

and be on your way.

A bit too cocky, are we?

Even for a patrol commander.

Let's go, Sergeant.

No, you don't!

Shoot him!

Get back!

Get back!

Hold fire!

It's a SMERSH operation! Take him alive!

Get down! Down!

- On the ground! I said down! - Hold fire! SMERSH working!

Out.

Stop! It's a minefield!

Where is my mommy?!

Drop the gun.

Stop! There are mines!

Stop!

The cargo was officer papers. With new secret codes, issued yesterday.

At 8 a.m., call sign KAO briefly went on air with a fading signal.

KAO is one of ours, right?

It is.

You thought you were looking for someone else the past ten days?

No, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. They're the ones we're after.

Most likely, these batteries and papers were meant for them.

Made so much fuss. Like you caught the Führer.

And they're just couriers.

The bulletin said: "Two saboteurs in Red Army uniforms."

- Turns out, there's a family. - Can't go there, Lieutenant.

- I can't wait any longer. - Comrade Lieutenant!

Alekseyev, let him pass.

Lieutenant Blinov.

En route to Lida.

Be on your way then.

No can do, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel.

This one won't give my papers back.

I'll deal with this, Lieutenant Colonel.

This comrade is concussed. Straight from the hospital.

Where was KAO's signal traced, Lieutenant Colonel?

Man, you're quick! Like an electric broom!

Even swapped caps already, huh?

Here.

Shilovichi. Nothing but forest there.

That's a week of searching.

- I'll need men. - I don't have any.

And you're well aware of that, Captain.

Lieutenant. Come over here.

Your name.

Andrei Stepanovich.

- Blinov? - Yes, sir.

I'm Lieutenant Colonel Polyakov,

chief of the Special Counterintelligence Unit.

You're assigned to Captain Alyokhin's group.

As an operations officer.

Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I need to return to my unit!

Proceed with assignment.

Take the kid to the hospital.

Well, you've seen the mugs. Identify them.

Start with the collaborators and police we're holding.

Someone's bound to ID them.

I expect your report at 21:00, Captain.

Aye.

Tamantsev!

Tamantsev!

Right here, Captain.

Brief the Lieutenant - mines, procedures, all of it.

Your order will be carried out, Comrade Captain!

Lieutenant!

The Captain ordered to conduct a briefing.

First explain how the saboteurs had a child.

Picked him up somewhere.

An orphan, probably.

Not like there's a shortage these days.

So, we've got a forest the size of France,

full of scum who didn't escape after our frontline advance.

The Akovtsy…

You know who those are?

I do.

Armia Krajowa. Poles.

Correct. There are also Lithuanian nationalists, local police,

Germans cut off in retreat,

plus radio-equipped saboteurs…

- How many are there? - Hundreds.

No, the ones with the radios.

Usually three or four.

We are riding along…

and out there…

or there,

those bastards are watching through twigs.

Counting trucks passing through,

their directions, troop numbers, unit IDs…

A soldier pulls over his Studebaker,

steps into the woods to take a leak

and that's it.

Gone.

All right. Briefing's over.

I've got sleep scheduled. That's all.

Mom?

Why are you tying these knots?

It's for the names… My memory has gotten bad.

They help me remember.

Can't you see?

I can't.

I can't see… I can't see!

I can't see!

I can't see!

What's with the staring?

You screamed in your sleep, Comrade Senior Lieutenant.

What did I scream?

Nothing. Just screamed.

We are here.

The goal is to search the woods.

Find fresh tracks.

Study and memorize your sectors. They will be…

Kamenka, Dokudovo, and along the Neman River.

- Got it? - Aye, sir.

What are we looking for?

- I asked you to explain. - Well, I did.

In a light manner. In broad strokes.

Change that manner!

All right, we'll split Blinov's sector… the rest gets added to yours,

including Gniltsi and Olkhovka.

That's one hell of a sector.

We need the decoded message.

That's our starting point, not wandering around the woods.

Pavel Vasilyich, you're afraid to request the decryption from HQ

and they're scared of Moscow. Just let me call then!

I don't care about ranks, this isn't some damn game!

Finished?

We're looking for a drop site.

Saboteurs don't carry radios. Too risky. They transmit, then hide them.

Remove shoulder boards and caps, leave papers behind too.

Keep weapons out of sight. And stay sharp at all times!

Is that clear?

Let's sync the watches. Mine says 10:27.

We search till 7 p.m.

Don't stay in the woods after that. You hear me?

Aye.

You asked me about tracks…

Well, saboteurs are trained to leave none.

But a man's not a bird. Can't fly, you know.

Something always gets left behind.

Most importantly, remember this:

anyone coming from or going into the woods is a suspect!

A normal Soviet citizen has no business there.

Why no shoulder boards in the rear though?

If you're killed, they can't use your uniform.

You go there.

Move.

Remember, all the info's underfoot.

- Ever been in the woods, friend? - Sure.

With my parents. By our country house.

Is that it?

It is.

Why am I even asking?

Infantry. Queen of the fields.

- Where are you from? - Moscow.

This is bad…

Right…

The war has passed…

yet shit remains.

Quiet!

- There… Who're you? - Ivan…

Let's see…

That's a bad wound, Ivan.

Will I die?

We all will.

Been sinning, huh?

And who might you be? A polizei, huh?

There you go.

Hold it tight now.

I'll be damned, Comrades…

I found it…

Comrade Captain.

I found it…

Comrade Captain!

- What is it? - A polizei here.

Tried to shoot me. Come, please!

Come on, Captain!

In there.

Found this cucumber in the bushes. Left in the bushes.

They're bitter!

They stuck a match in the moss.

Some ash too. Tobacco.

And over there…

a path for retreat.

They covered the tracks with tobacco and ground pepper…

- Real pros. - Is that it?

What more do you need?

Pavel, they're radio operators!

Polizei wouldn't sprinkle pepper on a trail!

On a trail, no.

But on sausage and lard, easy.

The locals love their peppered lard.

I haven't shown you the main thing!

Here.

- What's the cut for? - An antenna.

I'm speechless. Truly.

So?

Am I a genius?

The only genius is Comrade Stalin.

And you, Evgeny,

are a giant.

Who's that?

A scumbag.

- Have you covered your sector? - No.

- Why? - I got lost?

What a circus… A circus on horseback.

Comrade Captain, I saw two officers come out of the woods.

- Where? - In a village.

- Can you show on the map? - Yes.

Around… here.

Kamenka.

- What happened? - They came out of the woods,

reached the farmstead, and gave a duffel bag to the farmer…

Then shooting started… Thought the lieutenant was attacked.

I panicked, ran and got lost…

Comrades, let's eat.

Comrade Captain.

Go on, take the first bite. You've earned it.

There are bowls in the truck, Lieutenant.

In the back.

The ammo crate.

Officers…

The officers! From the farmstead!

I need them like a whole in my head.

- Why? - Because I'm starving!

I want food, see?!

And now we'll have to ID them.

Get in the truck.

Dump it, Khizhnyak.

- What? All the soup?! - Put the guy on too.

Burning a bit too well.

- What'd you put in there? Diesel fuel? - You out of your mind?!

- You gonna scoop with your boot later? - Get up!

You dockyard punk! Snot-nosed thug!

- You bastard… - Captain.

Tell him to watch his mouth.

I'm a Senior Lieutenant, not some goddamn nobody.

Well, Senior Lieutenant…

get over here.

Go to Kamenka and question the farmer.

Blinov says those two left him a duffel.

If needed, drag the owner to Lida.

Contact me through the commander there. Got it?

- Aye. - Get to it then.

All right, let's go!

So much for my meal!

Pick up the pace, Comrade Tamantsev!

Come on, you hunk of junk!

Come on, darling!

Out! Now!

Everyone okay?

Blinov?

Khizhnyak?

I'm fine.

The whole truck is ruined.

Okulich, the farm owner, is one Grade-A bastard!

Said he hasn't seen any officers in a month!

- He's lying. - It's clear he is.

Similar officers checked in with the garrison this morning.

But the commander doesn't remember the names.

Go look for them. Stroll around the station.

- Aye, sir. - I'll go to the NKVD.

Let's go, Khizhnyak!

What are these forest saboteurs doing in the city?

What's there to transmit? Reports on hedgehogs?

All the info is in the city. At the station.

As clear as stealing a secret folder from the HQ.

Tank trains spotted, troops counted, division numbers overheard.

All you really need to compromise the offensive.

- You got lucky, Lieutenant. Feel that? - Nope.

That's 'cause you're a dumb infantry grunt!

Who were you three hours ago?

- An officer. - I am one too. See the difference?

I do. One star of a difference.

Well, you've got a temper. But the mind is still concussed.

Look at this beauty! The power!

Did anyone named Okulich happen to pass through here?

From the Kamenka farmstead?

- Okulich? - Okulich.

No.

You really should search his place. He might be buying stolen goods.

Dammit…

- Why wouldn't you go? - Not something we do.

Always glad to help though.

Anything else?

I want it all.

Collaborators, polizei, every suspects.

Everything from the Shilovichi area.

There is only one case in Shilovichi.

Pavlovsky. Used to wait on the Germans.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

What is this?

They tried sneaking it into the old man's cell.

Inside a pie.

"God help you! We're doing well. Yulia and the girl are healthy."

Who's Yulia?

Too many questions, don't you think, Captain?

You SMERSH guys sure have it easy.

The Army sees you as NKVD, and NKVD as Army.

So you're always in the game, but never responsible for anything.

- Need help with that, Major? - God damn it!

Lost her son, that one.

How about you? Any family?

A brother. Parents too. You?

Only my mother.

She's gone though.

Sure had a hard time with me.

If those creeps are really here, their papers must be spotless.

All the latest codes from the last three days are in.

Where are the docs from? How do they procure them?

My young friend! These pricks are backed by the most cunning

and powerful intelligence service in the world.

Right after SMERSH. Forging papers is child's play to them.

And the codes? They change every three days, right?

Those are tricky.

The papers come from abroad. But they must be filled here.

At the garrison or the HQ.

Wait, there's a German spy at the HQ?

What do you think?

The bastard's right in there, sawing away at the very roots

of our victory.

Listen…

Wait here. Don't move.

Just wait, got it?

What if I spot the suspects?

If you do, just keep suspecting! From a distance though, all right?!

Stay away from them, Blinov!

Your warm hand, Comrades!

SMERSH.

Go take a breather.

Four!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Come on!

Six!

All aboard!

Get on board! The train is departing!

All aboard!

Make way!

Clear the way!

This can't be!

The hag!

Stop right there.

Volodya…

My baby…

Hands off, bitch.

Are you armed?

Move along, comrades.

Move along.

Don't move. I'm no Volodya, see? Ain't your baby either.

- Sonny… - Now this…

is really smart.

- Come here… - Things will be good now…

- You sit here. - My dear…

Is that so?

Shouldn't we get more?

Let's go. Will figure it out later.

Stop!

Present your papers.

How come?

I said so.

And who're you?

I'm…

I'm SMERSH.

What is this, Lieutenant?

Been drinking last night?

A joker, huh?

Present your papers.

Pick it up at the garrison.

Let's go, Sentsov.

Return the document! Stop or I'll shoot!

Easy now.

Relax.

Give your seat to the lady, Lieutenant.

Over here. Sit her down.

Permission to leave, sir?

Five more minutes. I need to make a call.

Hey there!

Hello, Comrade Senior Lieutenant.

- Was my captain here? - No.

Patch me through to the NKVD.

Easy there, Comrade Lieutenant…

Watch out.

Secure comms, you know…

Keep your pants on.

Lida…

Moscow…

Another minute, Sergeant. Need to see the commander.

That your son? Here you go, ma… take it… wipe up.

Back off, Captain, will you?

Sonny!

I said back off.

Now.

Take it off me.

Calm down, Katso.

Why'd you arrest that woman?

Volodya…

Would you arrest your mother too?

Back off, I said!

Let me go!

Stay away! Back off!

Make way! Belay that!

What's going on here?!

He tried to cut in line.

- Comrade Captain! - What is this here?!

- Attention! - On your feet!

There's been a fight, Comrade Major.

Who is this, Captain Anikushin?

He shot my commander, Comrade Major.

What do you mean shot him?

Shot him dead?

I'd strangle him myself if he did.

Shattered his knee.

Breathe out.

I don't drink, Comrade Major.

The army these days…

Arrest them all!

Aye.

Surrender your weapon.

- I have a suspect, Captain. - Where?

She can stay with you. Your weapon.

And clean up your boots. You're an officer, after all.

Dismissed. You follow me.

Be thankful, Blinov, the garrison chief's an old friend.

Else you'd be stuck here all night.

Where are you taking me, Captain? My papers are in order, aren't they?

We'll see. If they are, we'll apologize. Get in the truck.

I only asked for their papers. Politely.

Yeah, right.

Real polite.

Tore a man's knee to shreds. After a whole war without a scratch!

Get in the truck.

All right, fess up.

Why'd you shoot?

Was afraid they'd flee.

- You remember when it happened? - Why?

For the report. When you write it, stress they're suspects.

Just look at that angry, spy-like mug…

What if they're actual saboteurs?

Then you'll get a medal. And a promotion.

New rank.

- Is this an airfield? - No, a hippodrome.

What?

What's this circus about?

- A detainee. - I see.

Why is SMERSH based with the air-force?

They get better rations.

- I'm being serious here. - Serious? It's like a home port.

Is Lieutenant Colonel Polyakov here?

- Yes, sir. - Watch it. Watch it…

There is a letter for you, sir.

Came this morning, but you were gone. It's always like that.

The moment you leave, there is good news or a letter.

Thank you.

- May I, Lieutenant Colonel? - Excuse me! Scoot over!

Ain't a pilot seat, you know.

Sit. Sit down, I said.

Shouldn't the woman sit, lieutenant?

This suits her just fine. Right?

Who're you?

Pilots.

I see that.

- Assigned to Alyokhin's group. - Now we're talking!

Khizhnyak, get some rest.

Aye, Captain.

Comrade Captain. New additions.

- Captain Fomchenko. - Senior Lieutenant Luzhnov.

Captain Alyokhin. Watch the detainee.

- Who is it? - This one.

Come on… Hup!

Sergeant, move.

Blinov, don't just stand there. Give your bag here.

The knots.

Armored vehicles on the right, Troops in boxcars on the left.

Where are these knots?

They were there, Captain.

Her son… Passport and… death notice.

Is this your son?

Volodya…

My sweet boy.

Volodya…

Sonny…

- Thank you so much. - You're welcome.

A mirror?

Miss Fancy, huh?

Wouldn't have guessed.

Tamantsev…

Check the bread, I guess.

The quartermaster's a thief. The flour's crap.

This bread's been soaked, it seems.

I get it, Pavel Vasilyevich.

A moment, Lieutenant Colonel. Need to fetch the tools.

Lopukhin! Quick! Find me a chisel, a hammer, anything!

Come on! Schneller!

Passed notes in the bread, the old hag!

Same cipher as KAO.

Do you know Kazimir Pavlovsky?

So?

Will you talk now?

You'll die…

An interesting observation.

One day we'll all…

die.

Soon…

No one there.

Permission to enter?

I'm very sorry… the detainee…

escaped.

Follow me.

I brought him here and untied the hands. He got in.

I stepped away. Then…

a truck drove between me and the latrine.

Blinov…

Go to the hospital in Lida, now.

Sit by the room of that wounded captain.

Or better yet, inside it.

Aye.

Lieutenant Colonel!

Lieutenant General Yegorov has arrived!

Yesterday at the station we detained a woman

gathering intel on troops and armor, Comrade General.

- Who secured the agent? - Senior Lieutenant Tamantsev.

That's a medal.

Who was in Lida yesterday?

At the garrison?

Me.

- Comrade Lieutenant General. - Who else?

Me.

- It was me. - No medal for you then.

He sent a phonegram over secure line to Moscow,

to the Main Directorate, in my name.

To get your KAO decoded out of turn.

Care to explain your actions, Comrade Senior Lieutenant?

Anything for the front!

Anything for victory!

- Dismissed. - Aye, sir.

Give it to him.

The KAO decrypts.

THE "KAO" GROUP

Dismissed.

I'll just say it.

How is it possible… that right under your nose,

in the Shilovichi woods, German stragglers are roaming freely?

No fewer than 3,000.

And not just roaming either.

They're waiting for some order…

Three thousand?

How?

You, as head of Special Department, owe me this explanation of how.

What order are they waiting for?!

Well, I suppose…

- it's to break through to their own. - Is that so?!

To break through, they usually split

into smaller groups. Like we did in '41.

But they're grouping up.

What for?

Captain, you've been on this case for ten days with no results.

What's the reason?

We're doing everything we can, Lieutenant General.

We suppose that the detained woman is connected to the "KAO" group.

Did she tell you that?

- No, she's been quiet. - She's quiet,

the others roam free.

Why are you unshaven?

Anyway, if you can't handle this on your own…

we'll help.

Thanks!

Get up.

Hey, Lieutenant… The captain and I have been talking…

We'd like to confess.

Me and the Captain… skimmed a bit off the top.

About… seven hundred liters of captured kerosene.

What kerosene?

Where is the radio?

What was in the duffel bag you had when leaving the woods?

Ham. A little boar.

I'll ask again.

Where is the radio?

So, that's what it is… So, we're spies, huh?

Told you. A cop's always cop, call him SMERSH or goblin.

Lieutenant…

We're no spies…

Just wanted to earn some quick cash.

Are you thieves or something?

Oh, come on. What did we even steal?

Some trophy kerosene? We've got tons at the base.

Just wanted to earn some quick cash.

We're abroad, see? Could buy a dress for the wife.

Or a coat. See?

Take the airmen and head to Shilovichi.

On the outskirts, there's the house of Pavlovsky Senior,

The father…

of this Kazimir.

Big house, you won't miss it. Set up an ambush there for the son.

A quick question, Comrade Captain.

I'm ready to feed fleas just about anywhere,

But enlighten me here, will you? Don't let me die an idiot.

Why did you decide Pavlovsky would show up there?

Because one Yulia Antonyuk lives next door.

Pavlovsky's former maid, and, possibly, the mother of his child.

A mistress isn't a magnet, Captain.

And as for the kid, judging by his bio,

he'd kill a child as easily as eat a bowl of porridge.

Comrade Captain…

Do what you want with me, but I'm not going with them!

Can't even take a detainee for a piss properly!

And this guy's an ace, the big bad wolf! Comrade Captain!

You'll go. Fast as the wind.

- Only 'cause it's you, Captain. - You really think it's a favor?

- Nay! - Nay? All right then.

Leave it. I'll close it.

- See ya. - Right.

Comrades aviators!

Take your guns and gear.

I'll hold that for you.

Go.

- Where are we going, Captain? - The Lida hospital.

Got any water?

I'll find some.

Go slow, okay?

I need a shave.

I'll try.

What's the plan for after the war?

Go home. Settle. Get a new car.

Everything will be new after the war.

- You think so? - Sure.

What's the war for otherwise?

Why all this suffering?

To make things better.

Pull over. I'll hop in the back.

Stop!

In the car.

Here.

Guilt eating at you, Blinov?

Threw fellow soldiers to the wolves and left one of them crippled.

Feeling guilty?

I am.

Is conscience forbidden in SMERSH?

Where would we be…

without conscience?

I can't see!

I can't see!

I can't see!

Lieutenant! Calm down! Quiet!

What?

You screamed in your sleep.

Was it loud?

Tolerable. I covered your mouth.

Thank you, Captain.

What's the situation?

Nothing. The girl's in the yard.

Give it here.

Silly girl.

Ruined her own life.

Here's what we'll do. If Pavlovsky comes alone,

I won't need the two of you. Just watch from the bushes.

- Got it? - Got it.

Comrade Polyalov's message is clear.

The front counterintelligence… just missed…

the enemy buildup in Shilovichi woods.

Would you mind expaning

what this buildup is about?

Take a seat, General.

Ever since June '41, the German buildup serves one purpose.

- To destroy us. - I mean, strategically.

Strategically too.

We don't have time for the guessing game.

We have enemy forces in Shilovuchi woods.

So, we must decide how to wipe them out.

NKVD, how many men can you give?

If we mobilize all the divisions, about 200 or so.

Garrison HQ?

Commandant's unit, station guards…

That's about 300 men.

Is that so?

So, this is what we put against

a force of 3,000 Germans?

- What is this? - The report.

Should I have used ink?

Rewrite it, Lieutenant.

Tell every detail.

Keep in mind they'll be questioned too.

Are you writing one too?

About me?

No.

I'm writing a report requesting an unscheduled leave.

Does this ever happen?

No.

My daughter is sick.

How bad is it?

Last winter, my wife wrote…

The supply man

didn't give them firewood…

They had the warrant,

but he refused.

It was nearly 40 below.

The girl…

slept in a fur coat, in felt boots…

but still froze badly.

Why did he refuse, Captain?

Because he's a jerk. A real jerk.

I know this supply guy from before the war…

Got the letter, ran straight to the general in the HQ,

thinking, "He'll help with the firewood.

Easy, right?"

But recently his…

only son had just been killed.

And I thought, these days…

there are millions out there, who also…

have kids, parents, wives.

I couldn't do it.

Turned back.

But today… got another letter.

Rheumatism…

The daughter's got it.

Used to think it was old people's thing. Aching knees, sore backs…

But I was wrong. They explained it to me at the hospital.

It's a terrible illness anyone can have.

Can lead to blindness, paralysis, and even…

It's treatable though, right, Captain?

I couldn't do it.

Everyone's got children…

This one's on me.

Not what I meant, Captain…

Good day!

Lieutenant Potapov.

Where can I find Lieutenant Colonel Polyakov?

- He's in a meeting. - I have an urgent message.

I'm Captain Alyokhin. Polyakov's deputy of Operations.

- Would I suffice? - Possibly.

We found some saboteurs.

Let's go.

Blinov, bring the machine gun.

Turn around and keep your eyes open.

Is this where you saw those officers?

Yes.

- Here. - You go first.

Here he is. A counterintelligence captain.

- Only two men? - How many are there?

Six, I think.

Damn bastards shoot real good. Took down two of ours.

How'd you find them?

The brass told to check the farm owner.

Well, we did.

I've had enough of these scumbags!

- May I? - You may not.

It's too powerful. Might take down everyone.

- Who's "everyone"? - The saboteurs.

The saboteurs?

Do it!

Stop! Get back!

Don't!

Take them alive!

Stop!

Stop right there!

Stop, you!

You alive, Captain?

Well, I am.

- How did you break it? With your head? - I don't know?

What time is it, Blinov?!

18:20

Appreciate the concern, Lieutenant, but go easy on enthusiasm in the future.

Don't shoot!

We surrender!

What did you hide in there?

Wanted to blow up all of Belarus?

All right, round them up.

Out!

Move!

- Who are they? - The owners.

- Hid in the cellar. - They forced us in there!

- Stop! - Threatened us with guns!

- Come here. Okulich? - Yes.

Who's the leader?

He's the commander.

- This one? - Yes.

I'll take him and the owners. Get up.

Walk.

- What's your name? - Vasil Okulich.

Why did two officers visit you yesterday?

They exchange cattle and food for kerosene.

We have a power shortage.

Relying on kerosene lamps.

So I bartered some for a pig.

Do you know Pavlovsky?

Which one? There are a few.

Kazimir.

I do.

When did you last see him?

Yesterday.

Where?

In the house.

- Why did he come to see you? - Please don't kill us. Please!

Please! Please don't kill us!

He brought a group.

Told us to hide their sacks in the well

and to stay in touch.

Because the beggar lady from the station disappeared.

How do you know Pavlovsky? Answer.

Get me a paper saying I'll be pardoned…

That I'll be spared.

With a stamp.

And a general's signature.

Then we'll talk.

You won't.

There are witnesses.

You're worse than the Nazis!

Tamantsev…

calls this the "ear drops".

He's better at it though.

But he's bound to speak now.

We're Russians!

Remember this for the future.

If there's any for you…

- You aren't Russians… - Then who are we?

You're scum.

The saboteur commander Pankratov claims

the surrounded troops in Shilovichi Forest

are preparing to attack Lida.

Wait, who is this Pankratov to know these things?!

Is he getting calls from Hitler?!

From what you said, he's just some lowly Vlasov scum!

He was briefed in the woods recently.

By a man in a captain's uniform. A Russian.

Pankratov says he leads all the Germans.

Oh Lord, your works are wondrous! Russians commanding Germans!

What a turn!

What were those saboteurs trying to blow up?

The train tracks to Lida.

- When? - In the morning.

So, that's their offensive plan.

They blow up the tracks

to stop us from moving reinforcements,

And the garrison in Lida won't last longer than two hours.

Right.

But why would they want it? It would be easier…

to go around Lida from, say, the left flank

and have almost a straight line to their forces.

A straight line…

From here to Lida is one tank hop.

It's a frontline breach.

The strike from two sides. Secure the transportation junction.

And our offensive goes up in smoke.

From two sides…

This needs to be simultaneous and on signal.

But who'd be giving the signal?

KAO will.

Pavlovsky.

The captain's got a good head.

Almost like a major's.

Will you be back?

I'll come to get you both.

Stop right there!

Your papers!

Show your papers.

One… two… three… four…

Drop your weapon! Hands up!

Damn it…

You okay?

Don't shoot!

What's with the looking? I told you!

I told you, like, twenty times, "If he's alone…

I won't need you two!"

Bandage him. Quick!

Aye.

Comrade Senior Lieutenant…

Don't let her come here.

Stop her!

At ease.

Photograph the body.

Great job.

Couldn't have been worse.

- Is she injured? - God forbid. She's mourning.

Why'd even bring her here like this? With the kid too…

It's protocol, Lieutenant General. She's an accomplice.

Some accomplice she is.

A poor lost girl.

Well…

Didn't expect this from you, Captain.

Fix your uniform!

Khizhnyak. Arrange food for the girl.

Aye.

Did you check everything?

We did, Captain.

And this? Was this spade on him?

Yes.

A soldier's spade on an officer…

Thought the same. Why would a goat need a piano?

Decided to bring it along.

Give me a knife. Knife!

Pasha?

Pasha?

- What's wrong? - Go to the topographers.

I need a soil map of the area.

And fast!

Can't do it? Then you'll stand there yourself with a pistol!

Get to it!

I assume that on the way to Lida the Germans will come through here, so…

Put an AA gun with crew right here. For direct fire!

Thank you, Major, you may go.

What news, Nikolay?

I know you've been reading newspapers. Even central ones.

What's the word from Moscow? What's the mood?

Still no God up there, I take it?

No. Still none.

He doesn't know this though.

- May I, Lieutenant General? - What happened?

A second examination revealed loam on Pavlovsky's spade.

Revealed what?

Loam. A rare type of soil.

Only found in a single area of Shilovichi woods.

Right here.

It's close to the site of the last KAO transmission.

See, Nikolay?

Still think there's no God?

The situation is critical. Observe every precaution.

There may still be quartermasters or billeting personnel in the woods,

you are to proceed posing as a garrison patrol.

They're posted all along the road to Lida now.

The order is: not a single dot or dash

must be transmitted from the Shilovichi Forest.

To keep it plausible,

a garrison officer will go with you.

- Captain Anikushin… - Aye…

You'll be assigned a radio operator.

If you manage to capture KAO's transmitter,

you must send a message on open frequency:

"Grandma has arrived!"

You got it? "Grandma has arrived".

Carry on.

Comrades officers, get in the truck.

Grandma's on her way.

- Give it here. Good boy! - You comms?!

- Comms? - Comms.

Hop on or stay behind!

Hurry it up!

Come on.

Pull over.

Come on, pick up the pace.

There…

Twenty minutes ago, earlier than usual…

the KAO radio went live.

It reads… "Lombards have left the forest."

Alyokhin wasn't fast enough.

The shortest path to the loam is here.

There's a swamp nearby. Not too soggy,

but still useful to us. They won't go there.

Can't go around this clearing. Let's ambush them here.

Comrade Captain!

Transmit this: "Request to confirm order."

Yes, sir.

Our job is to get them before they go on air.

They always broadcast in the morning, same time.

- Is everything clear? - No, it is not.

What is my role here?

Captain, a response from the HQ.

"The order is to return immediately."

- Where do you switch it off? - Here.

You wanted to say something?

You heard the order?

Aye, sir.

Nay, sir.

- Me neither. - What?

Didn't hear it.

Then let's go.

- Will he come too? - Will you come?

- Where? - To the woods.

- Do I have to repeat the order? - You can wait by the truck, if you want.

Or try the highway and catch a ride. But I doubt you'll manage it.

Khizhnyak!

Gear up, you're coming with us.

- What? And the truck? - The captain will watch it.

Sergeant!

Coming!

Captain, I'm ordering you to return to the airfield immediately.

- Khizhnyak, come on. - Coming!

Onward.

Stop right there.

Are you a fool, Captain?

What next? Shoot me in the back?

You really should come, Comrade Anikushin.

Is it by the truck? The shooting?

Keep moving.

Hände hoch!

Nope. You guys hände hoch.

- You heard that, Captain? - I did.

That wasn't gasoline, was it?

I don't know, Khizhnyak.

Don't think so.

Tamantsev!

Tamantsev, tell me…

That wasn't gasoline, right?

Khizhnyak, my brother, I don't know.

I know how shells, mines, bombs and grenades explode.

But I never heard gasoline explode.

Is it here?

It is.

Khizhnyak. Put this on.

Congrats on the promotion.

You're mean, Tamantsev.

No, Captain. What do you mean?

If the guys find out, I'll be the laughing stock.

What guys?

The drivers.

Just put it on.

Come on. Goroshnikov, move it.

Blinov. The gun.

What if they come right now?

Don't worry. The woods will help.

Hear the birds chirp?

- They chirp for anyone. - Nah…

Our birds don't sing for Germans.

Come here. Can you see well?

Yes.

Just don't shoot me, all right? I'll be over there.

Get settled then.

Khizhnyak, stay here.

Sergeant, go down there.

Stay here and keep your head down.

If you hear gunfire, your goal is block their exit.

Only shoot their limbs.

You think you up for it?

Aye, sir.

Most importantly, only shoot the limbs. Even if they shoot to kill.

- No improvizing. - Wrong.

The situation is too unpredictable.

Play it by ear.

But, you said…

Forget what I said.

Use your own head.

Here's the plan. We'll check the papers in pairs.

Rear man covers the front.

Blinov and Tamantsev will cover us from the left and right.

- Do you hear me? - Yes.

Khizhnyak…

If anything happened with your truck, we'll get you a new one.

You want a Dodge?

Dodge is capricious. Spare parts are scarce too.

Then ZIS it is.

A three-axis one.

Comes with a leather driver's jacket.

And a Canadian steel thermos.

ZIS will do.

Khizhnyak? In pairs. Rear man covers the front.

Go.

Remember the sequence. First the main papers,

then the auxiliary ones, then the bags.

If I make stuff up, it's 'cause I have to. Got it?

Yes.

Who are you?

130th Transit and Barrier. Commandant's Office.

Captain Alyokhin. Papers, please.

What papers?

- There are Germans around. - Weapons down.

Put it down.

Quiet!

Are you hearing this?

Papers.

Didn't your hear, Captain? The woods are crawling with Germans.

Why even bother?

- Freeze. - Stop where you are!

Easy! Easy… Step aside.

Papers.

You guys are persistent.

Yelatontsev…

- Aleksei, right? - Aye.

Why were you in the woods?

We got lost.

Were heading to Lida. But lost the way.

Lida isn't this way.

- It isn't? - Nope.

Well, I told you. We're lost.

- Why Lida? - It's in the papers.

Sorry. A personal item.

My daughter.

Says: "On assignment from command."

It's what it is.

And what's the assignment?

What's with the tone, Captain?

Why are you talking to us like we're deserters?

We're frontline soldiers too, just like you, or so we hope.

Frontline soldiers are at the front, not sneaking through the woods!

Anyway, you haven't answered my question.

Return the papers.

All right. We'll search your belongings, and you can go.

Is this a search?

Who gave you the right

to search an officer?

We're no privates.

And you, Captain, are not some sergeant checking for a bar of soap…

No one said it's a search.

You show what's in the bags, and away you go.

Come on.

And if we refuse?

Then you'd be coming with us. To the garrison HQ.

Fighting over this would be silly, wouldn't it?

Come here, Lieutenant.

Take the bag off.

Rummage away.

Stop. What are you doing?

Putting the bag down.

Khizhnyak, dammit…

Let me do this, Captain.

Later…

Why not, Captain?

You want my knife?

What are you doing?

Khizhnyak, duck!

Drop the bag, Khizhnyak!

Get down, I said!

You bastard!

Stop!

Stop!

Stop or I'll shoot! Stop right there!

Stop! I'll shoot you!

Hands behind your head!

You all right, Pavel?

Give me a moment. Blinov!

Bandage the captain.

Watch this one.

Bastards…

Stay down, scumbag!

Keep hailing!

Oh, Khizhnyak, Khizhnyak…

My grave-bound brother…

My dearest friend…

These bastards killed you…

Who did it, huh?

Was it you, scum?!

I won't stand this. I'll finish you off, you filth.

He killed Khizhnyak!

He killed Khizhnyak!

- He killed Khizhnyak! - I didn't.

Die, you filth!

Back off!

No! Stop! Don't!

I didn't kill him!

I didn't kill him! I swear! I didn't kill him!

Then who was it, huh?! Go on, say you didn't shoot at us!

Now you're lying to my face too, you piece of shit!

I'll talk! I'll say it like it is!

- Please, no! - Call signs of your radio! Now!

- You the radio guy?! - I am!

- Your call signs! Now! - Keep quiet!

Be quiet, you bitch! Or I'll tear your tongue out!

Not talking, scum?! Huh? Afraid of him, are you?

Not of me, but of him, huh? Then watch.

KAO! KAO! I'm KAO!

- Last transmission time? - Half an hour ago!

Pasha! Pasha…

They transmitted. Half an hour ago.

Pasha! What was the transmission?!

"The Lombards have left the forest."

- Don't… - What?!

The Lombards! Germans! Germans…

It's the general offensive signal! Please don't kill me!

I'll tell everything! Please don't!

Okay. All right now. Quiet.

If you didn't kill Khizhnyak…

you'll live. Do you hear?

Good. Easy now. What's your name?

Not the one for the Germans. The one your mom would use.

Seryozha.

Sergei then.

Listen here…

Don't you fret, Sergei.

I won't let the Germans take you alive.

Keep hailing them!

Start you squeezebox.

- Mine or his? - Both.

Now listen here, Seryozha.

You're going to tell your people behind the lines…

…that your bard people went back into the woods.

Operation abort, got it?

Do that, and you'll live a long, happy life.

But watch out, you bastard…

- It must be encrypted. - Then get to it!

Hurry! Come on!

A pencil?

The battery is almost out.

- So?! - Almost!

Then transmit it already!

- He did it. - You sure?

Same as written. The battery's dead though.

Now you transmit. No encryption.

- "Grandma… has arrived." - To Seven?

No, the Jack of Spades! Get to it!

Rakita to Seven. Over.

Grandma… has arrived.

It's done, Comrade Lieutenant.

Do it again.

How many times?

Till you go numb.

Rakita to Seven.

Grandma has arrived.

Comrade Lieutenant General!

- What?! - Rakita is transmitting.

Grandma has arrived!

What?!

It's coming again!

Grandma has arrived!

Pasha! We transmitted!

It's done.

Pasha, do you hear? We transmitted!

- A moment… - What?

What? A moment? This sure is a great one!

Sergei did well sending it!

Blinov, get your machine gun.

- What? - I said, get the damn gun.

It's the Germans.

Take the Captain to the ditch. Where sergeant is.

I'll cover you.

Come on now.

Come on.

Halt!

It's on, Lieutenant General.

Yegorov listening!

Can't hear a damn thing!

Yegorov here! Who is this?!

- Lobov! - What is it?!

The Germans stopped the offensive! They're back behind the front line!

No pincer movement! A full zurück!

What do you mean behind the lines?! Why?

Don't know, General! The Germans don't report to me.

Moscow has sent a new radio intercept!

KAO transmitted that the Lombards have gone back into the woods.

But the damn Germans just keep on coming!

- How is that possible?! - It's what it is!

Looks like my Germans never got the order!

Must be your Alyokhin.

He stopped the German offensive.

- What are your orders, General? - My orders?!

Live a long life!

A happy one, if you can!

I'm sorry, brother.

If things turn out fine,

we'll bury you properly.

Put up a nice plaque too.

What's your first name anyway?

ARKHIP KHIZHNYAK

Pack it up!

Pasha! Pasha?

I'm sending Blinov away, all right?

Is this your daughter?

Hold her. I got it. Blinov!

Aye.

Grab…

Grab the radio guy and the prisoner! Go to our positions! That way!

Move!

Hurry! Let's go! Come on!

Go!

Don't worry, Pasha.

He'll make it.

Get the prisoner there too.

He's not…

a snot-nosed kid anymore.

A proper soldier now.

Bastards!

- Where is the general? - There!

Comrade General! The Germans are surrounding us.

What are the orders?

Comrades officers!

Arm yourselves.

- Sergei, get me my pistol. - Aye.

Comrade General…

By order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief,

senior officers are prohibited from engaging in an offensive.

I'm not disobeying that order.

We aren't on the offensive here.

We're defending!

Let's go!

Dammit!

Let's even the playing field.

One to 23. Why drop the payload? Over.

23 to One. Enemy spotted in the forest clearing. Over.

Get down, everyone!

Don't panic, Comrades!

These are our planes!

Go!

Brothers! Follow me!

Onward!

Hurrah!

Hurrah!

Keep the head straight…

Don't move…

There…

I'll keep this…

on me.

For safety.

You know how it can be.

The medics will cut…

the uniform to ribbons.

I bet you know, Pasha, that any illness

can by cured by the sun and the sea.

So, once the war is over,

come see me.

With the wife and the girl.

Get some rest…

out in the sun.

Heal everything for good.

There's iodine everywhere.

Not the brown stuff they pour on wounds by the liter.

The air kind. A molecule.

Heals the soul.

Ma used to say so.

Turns out Khizhnyak's name…

was Arkhip.

Three years together…

TO THE FEW, OWED BY MANY VLADIMIR BOGOMOLOV

BASED ON THE MOMENT OF TRUTH NOVEL

AUGUST