Plennyy plot
A convoy of Russian soldiers is trapped in the mountains of Chechnya, lost in unknown, hostile territory. They are constantly startled by explosions and gunfire. The garrison commander dispatches seasoned Rubakhin and young Vovka to capture a local who knows the mountain trails well and can get his men to safety. After a short firefight, the men seize a young wounded Chechen, who, although he does not speak Russian, nevertheless understands what is required of him. It's sweltering hot as the three men try to navigate the difficult terrain, forcing them to show some mutual complacency and goodwill. But the proximity of the Chechen settlements soon negates the intimacy that had grown between the men, and the prisoner has to pay a terrible price for what he did for the Russians.