The action takes place from April to December 1986. The Ukrainian department of the KGB of the USSR becomes aware of the interest shown by foreign intelligence services in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. To establish the whereabouts of an experienced CIA officer, Albert Lenz, who is suspected of espionage, on the territory of Pripyat, Lieutenant Colonel of military counterintelligence Andrey Nikolaev arrives in the city.
Sveta Vasilkova - my mother's "Firefly" - moves from a tiny village to the city to study at an elite school. The appearance of a strange newcomer in a red cap, who seems too smiling and naive, immediately changes the usual life of the class. The future elite of society is forced to look at themselves from the outside and find not the best features. Not everyone is ready for this, and a split occurs in the group. In order to somehow return the guy's attention, the beauty and leader of the company Zhenya decides to reveal the girl's secret.
When the communist government raises food prices in 1962, the rebellious workers from the small industrial town of Novocherkassk go on strike. The massacre which then ensues is seen through the eyes of a devout party activist.