In Winter 1942 in Nazi-occupied Belorussia two young partisans, Zosya and Anton, are sent to a reconnaissance mission. Anton falls in love to Zosya but his desire to survive in any way leads to betrayal of his love.

Poyti i ne vernutsya

At first, the wives of the protagonists are the only ones who have to fight, as the husbands (with the exception of the cowardly fugitive Mikhail) are imprisoned by corrupt officials and local gangsters.