Call sign Donbass

Stavl Zosimov

Call sign Donbass

EPISODE 1

2022. FREE. Day. Spring. The Bald Steppe of eastern Ukraine. Wounded Russian soldier Ivan Bykov, call sign: "Donbass", is lying on his side in a trench and an unmanned quadcopter with antipersonnel grenades is hovering over him. The UAV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine sees the enemy, takes aim and drops a grenade without a check at the soldier. The grenade falls neatly between the body and the trench wall, from the chest side. Donbass immediately gropes for her in speed, picks her up and throws her aside with her feet away from the trench. The grenade explodes and does not hit the wounded soldier with shrapnel.

The quadcopter directs the second grenade into the opening from the young fighter's back. Donbass puts his hand behind his back and, having found it, throws it aside. An explosion occurs. Donbass looks up at the drone. He gets up with all his might and runs across the trench with the corpses of his colleagues to the dugout shelter. The quadcopter does not immediately begin to chase the fugitive and drops the next remaining grenades one at a time. It just smears. Donbass, clutching the wounded man's left side with his left hand, holds an AKM-47 assault rifle with an under-barrel grenade launcher in his right hand.

He stops, lies on his back and, pointing the barrel of a machine gun at random into the sky, shoots from the barrel at a hellish mechanical bird. A grenade with a roar and smoke flies out of the barrel and hits the drone's camera with a stone. An explosion occurs, and exhausted by the wound, Donbass sees shrapnel flying around. He loses consciousness.

EPISODE 2

Three years earlier. School. 11th grade classroom. A history lesson. The teacher stands at the blackboard and explains a new topic. There is a knock on the door. The door opens, and the principal enters the classroom with a new student. All students stand up.

– Hello students. Swami will now have a new student named Masha Bykova. She is a refugee from Donetsk. Her father is fighting in the militia. Well, that's it, Valentina Petrovna, continue the lesson.

The principal leaves the classroom. The teacher approaches Masha.

"Go sit in an empty seat." Over there, with Vanya Bykov.

Masha smiles, walks and shrugs her shoulders. Everyone follows her with their eyes. Masha sits down next to him. The teacher continues to explain the new topic. Masha opens her bag and takes out her supplies.

– hello. I'm Vanya. – Donbass holds out his hand for a handshake.

– And I'm Masha. – She shakes his hand.

– And what city are you from?

– From Donetsk.

"Have you seen the rockets explode?"

– no. I just heard it.

– That's it. Bykov, pay attention to the board. Otherwise you'll go out the door. And guys, focus on the topic. You still have an idea.

– I'm sorry, please. Masha apologizes.

– You see Bykov, Masha apologized. You can see it right away, upbringing. And you, Bulls, can only sleep in class. I hope, Masha, you will take over his patronage.

"Aren't you related?" Egor Bobrov asks.

– no. We are husband and wife. Masha answers coquettishly.

– That's it. Bobrov. You're going to the blackboard now.

"This is my cousin. – Donbass whispers.

– Congratulations. Masha answers. – Look at the board.

"I'm sorry. – Donbass turns his gaze to the board. "You're beautiful."

"I know."

"And me?"

– We'll talk later. Masha interrupts.

"Got it."

EPISODE 3

School. Summer. Assembly hall. At the graduation, Donbass dances a slow dance with Masha. Donbass looks at Masha. Masha occasionally glances at him.

– Mash. How I've been waiting for this day.

– This is how we danced before.

"That's not what I'm talking about. I like school, it's sitting right here. – Donbass is pointing a ring finger at its throat.

"You'll regret it in ten years."

"Not at all. Except for the kents.

"Your friends are idiots.

– That's right. They're not girls, are they? You girls are just drawing pictures.

"And you?" You show off all sorts of trinkets to each other.

"What's that?"

– Well, motorcycles, for example.

"You're right. It's all junk. Tell me better, will you ride with me on the junk to meet the sunrise?

– You can meet him here too. On the porch, for example.

– And what kind of memory is that? You need to create memories.

– And where is this memorable place?

– On the river.

– Don't forget your fishing rod.

Donbass and Masha drive away from the school. Donbass and Masha are sitting on the riverbank and watching the sunrise.

– Masha, I love you.

"I know."

"From where?"

– Yes, everyone sees it. You treat me like a crystal vase.

– I'm not wearing anything. Do you love me?

"Aren't you going to leave me?"

Donbass hugs Masha and hugs her.

"We're going to die on the same day."

– First you need to get an education. Then we can talk about love. The family must be fed and supported. Will the children go?!

– I haven't served in the army yet, and you're already talking about the wedding.

– Love without a wedding? When do you want to join the army?

– In the spring. Are you going to wait? Write letters.

"Letters?" I have a smartphone.

"I think they're locking up cell phones there."

– Then I'll print them on a printer for you and send them to the soap of your part.

"Well, do you love me?"

– yes. But if I see you even look at some girl?!

"Why?" There is no one more beautiful than you. Even Beaver speaks. You're lucky to have a woman, Vanya.

– what? I'd beat your Beaver with a broom. What kind of word is that, Baba? Young woman.

"I'll tell him."

EPISODE 4

Private house of Donbass Bykov. Spring. Hall. There is a festive table with treats in the Hall, and many friends and relatives are celebrating. Donbass and Masha are sitting together. On the sides, his parents. There is a lot of noise. Everyone eats, drinks, and proves something to their neighbor. A stout man stands up and taps his glass with a fork. Everyone falls silent. He picks up a glass and chews on it.

"I'll swallow it now."

– Tell me, Uncle Boris. – Donbass offers.

– It's bitter! – He screams and drinks in one gulp. Everyone stares in surprise. Someone is laughing.

"Are you stupid, old man?" – Says his wife, Aunt Lyuba. – This is not a wedding, but a send-off to the army.

– So this is.... Pour it out, wife....They're sitting together, so I thought… Come on, my people, serve me faithfully. Don't disgrace our family name. Bulls! – He clenches his free hand into a fist, frowns, wrinkles his lips into a tube and looks at his fist. – It should sound like Zhukov!

– I understand you, Uncle Borya. It's going to be okay.

– Vanya. If they offer to stay, stay an ensign. You'll always be full and drunk.

– What do you recommend? I've lost my mind completely.

Aunt Lyuba drags her husband to sit down by his pants. Uncle Borya sits down and drinks again. Exhales and sings the Cossack song "Harness the horses, lads." Everyone picks it up and sings in chorus. Donbass and Masha leave the table and go to his room. They sit on the bed.

"They don't need us now. Donbass strokes Masha's cheek. She looks at him sadly. Donbass kisses her on the lips and knocks her down on the bed. Masha pushes him away.

"Not now, and not here. There are so many people.

"Will you be waiting for me?"

"You'll come back and check it out."

"You're so smart." I can't imagine life without you at all. I'll die without you.

"What are you saying?" I just want to be like people. Wedding, wedding night. Romance.

EPISODE 5

Private house of Maria Bykova. Spring. Hallway. Donbass walks through the door in a military uniform, with an aiguillette, with a cake and with a magnificent bouquet of red roses.

"Vanya?" Maria throws her arms around his neck. They're kissing. Donbass is slightly repulsive to Masha. Masha sniffs the bouquet. Donbass gets down on one knee and takes her hand.

– Masha. Will you marry me?

Masha joyfully looks at her mother and is embarrassed.

"Well, answer me, don't keep your date waiting."

"I'm embarrassed." Masha hides behind the bouquet. – Yes.

Donbass gets up from its knees.

"It's a pity your father isn't here to ask for his blessing." The Cossacks have it that way.

"What's the problem?" You can call him on the video call and ask. Take off your shoes, come on in. Masha, put the kettle on. The computer is in the hall.

Donbass hands the cake to Masha and goes into the hall. The mother sits down at the computer.

"Why don't you eat first?"

– No, Aunt Lena. First the case, then the gingerbread.

Masha's father's face appears on the screen.

– Hello, my dears. How are you?" Masha, Grishka?

– Grishka is at school. And Masha is in the kitchen. He'll be right there. How are you, honey? You take care of yourself. We're having a party. Vanya returned from the army. He wants to ask you.

The mother gets up.

"I'll take it."

Donbass takes a chair and sits down. Masha sits down next to him.

– I wish you good health, Uncle Grisha.

– Hi Ivan. Hi Marya. You look good. Vanya has matured. You can see it right away.

– thanks. Uncle Grisha.

– Well, what did you want to ask?

"I'm asking for your daughter's hand in marriage." I swear to cherish and protect it as my homeland.

– I agree. I bless you and wish you to live a hundred years together and die on the same day. When are you planning to celebrate the wedding?

– In the autumn, after harvesting. I'm getting a job on a farm as a KAMAZ driver, just in time to earn money for a wedding. – This is Donbass speaking.

"You're thinking right, son-in-law. Oh, I wish I could babysit my grandchildren.

– Take it easy.

– Masha, tell Mom.

"She's here, Dad. We miss you. When are you coming?

"I'm here, Grishenka.

– Lenusik. I'll get a vacation in the fall, and I'll bring my grandmother back from Donetsk for good....

– We won't start without you. We'll be waiting. – This is Donbass speaking.

– Okay, my gold. They're calling me on the radio. Don't get sick. Before the connection.

The signal is interrupted.

EPISODE 6

Private house of Donbass Bykov. Summer. Evening. Donbass is chopping firewood in the yard. Masha carries firewood to the woodshed. Masha's pale mother comes up to the gate.

– Vanya.

– Oh, Aunt Lena. Masha. The mother came. Come inside, Aunt Lena.

"Come to me." – Donbass and Masha exchange glances and approach the gate.

"Is something wrong, Mom?"

– Dad was killed. And Aunt Lena lets out a sob. Masha hugs her mother and cries too. – Here, the funeral. Aunt Lena hands the notice to Masha.

– So they should have called from the military enlistment office.

– He did not serve in the Russian army.

– Aunt Lena, let's go inside.

Masha, her mother and Vanya go to the porch. The father and mother of Donbass come out. They smile.

– Hello, matchmaker. – My Father says cheerfully.

"Wait a minute, Sidor. Something's happened. – The mother of Donbass pulls her husband away.

– Uncle Grisha died.

– Japanese policeman. What a grief. – The Father sympathizes. – Come into the house.

– What a grief. The mother of Donbass begins to cry.

Everyone enters the hall and sits down.

– And he wanted to bring his mother. – Says Masha's mother.

– Mom. Does Grandma know?

"I don't think so. For security reasons, he did not mention her address in his personal file. Just our address.

– Matchmaker, it is necessary to inform. I'll have to anyway.

– How do I get her out of there now? – says the mother Machine.

– How. I will go. – Says Masha. – And you will stay with Grishka.

"Why are you going?" – Donbass is surprised. – Let's go together.

"But you're working, aren't you?"

– I'll take a leave without pay.

– It's the cleaning room now, they won't let you go. – Says Vanya's Father. – And if you run away, they'll fire you.

"Can't I bring my grandmother myself?" I'll tell her about Dad. I'm twenty years old. Hello.

"But there's a war there?" – asks the Mother of Donbass.

– Donetsk has not been bombed for two months now. So I'll be able to pick her up in time.

Railway station. The platform. Passengers board the carriages. Donbass and Masha are standing at the entrance to the carriage. The ticket collector checks the tickets and lets you board.

"You be careful. Call me every two hours. – This is Donbass speaking.

– What are you saying, Vanya, I'm not going to the front, but to visit my grandmother. By the way, I'll come to you with a surprise.

Train departure to Moscow is announced. Donbass kisses Masha hard.

– Well, that's it. While. Favourite.

– Masha. I love you.

"And I love you."

Masha enters the carriage. The train is moving. Donbass goes with the train and is looking for a compartment. Masha appears in the window and blows a kiss. The train is moving away at speed.

EPISODE 7

Panorama of the Field. Day. The harvesters are moving in a squad, and trucks drive up to each one from time to time to fill the seeds into the bodies. Donbass drives up to the released combine in a KAMAZ truck and matches the speed of the combine. Grain begins to pour from the auger into the body. The smartphone rings. Masha's face is on the screen. Donbass turns on the speakerphone.

– Hello, My Love. Well. Where are you?

– I'm in Donetsk, at the railway station with my grandmother.

Grandma appears on the screen.

– Hi Vanya. Grandma waves.

– Hello, Baba Frosya. How is your health?

– OK. How are you?

– Here, at the cleaning.

– Maybe we're not on time?

"Not really. Everything is fine.

– Masha will speak now.

– Vanya. We got the tickets back for tomorrow. 12 o'clock. We'll be there in four days.

– Why is Grandma so cheerful? You didn't tell me?

– no. I'll tell you on the train. Well okay. You're driving. I'll call you tomorrow morning. Well, come on. Chpoki-chpoki.

– Go-go-go-go-go-go-go-go-go-go.

The connection is interrupted. The combine's horn sounds and Donbass presses on the gas. His truck drives away from the combine. Another truck pulls up in its place.

EPISODE 8

The Donbass room. Morning. Donbass is sleeping. The alarm goes off. Donbass reaches out and turns it off. He gets up and turns on the TV with the remote control. The news music is playing on the screen.

Donbass gets dressed and watches.

– … Last night, Donetsk was again shelled from the territory controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A rocket hit a house on Shakhterov Street. Rescuers are clearing the rubble, hoping to find the living. Four dead and ten injured have already been reported. Andrey Savin, Igor Voodeyko and Irina Karpova. News from Donetsk.

Donbass takes a smartphone and calls Masha.

– The subscriber is out of range. Please call me back later.

Donbass calls Masha's mother.

– Yes, Vanya.

– Good morning, Aunt Lena. I can't get through to Masha. Outside the zone.

"Hello," he said. Maybe she's asleep and turned it off. She often did that.

– Have you watched the news?

– no. I just came from the barn. Managed. And what happened.

– The news reported that Donetsk was shelled again at night.

– What are you saying. Hang it up. I'll call my mom… hello. Vanya, Mom is also out of range.

Donbass looks at the clock.

– Aunt Lena. Maybe they really turned it off. I'm just late for work.

– Go Vanya. I'll call my mom. She lives in the next yard.

– As soon as you call. Let me know.

Donbass gets into the cab and starts moving. The bell rings.

– I'm in touch.

– Vanya. – Masha's mother is crying. "I called." It was a shell that hit their house.

– what?

– Vanya. She was two months pregnant.

– what? Why wasn't I told?

– She informed me when she was already on the train. And what she'll tell you when she gets back. But there is still hope. The analysis is not finished.

– Do you think that there are people alive in the rubble? – Donbass is moving forward.

– I do not know what to think.

– Until the bodies are found, they are alive. Call your friend later. Let him report the result.

The connection is terminated. Donbass pushes the gas to the fullest and takes off.

There are workers working in the garage. The screeching makes the skidders turn around abruptly.

– Yes, I did.

"Maybe you should drink it."

– And the boss can't stand dauntless people.

Donbass is rushing across the field at speed. He picks up his smartphone.

– Well, Aunt Lena?

"I've called everything. Both the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the police. During the analysis of the ruins of the house, the bodies of Masha and grandma were not found. They didn't get on the train either, although they had taken the tickets the day before.

"They're alive. I feel. I'll spend my whole life looking for her and finding her. I don't believe she's dead.

EPISODE 9

On time for harvesting grain crops, combine harvesters go in a detachment, and from time to time trucks drive up to each one to fill the seeds into the bodies. Donbass in a KAMAZ truck drives up to the released combine at speed and crashes into its side. The combine stops and a healthy elderly combine harvester, Uncle Borya, the brother of Donbass' father, jumps out. He runs to the dented KAMAZ cabin. Opens the door.

"Alive?"

– I think so.

"Are you drunk?"

– No, I got the pedals mixed up.

– Well, that's it, Schumacher, I heard it. Now they'll be fired from their jobs and stripped of their rights. How will you compensate for the damage, woe is you? – Uncle Borya helps Donbass out of the cockpit. He puts her on her feet. – Look how dented are both techniques? It smells like shit, no less.

– I will go to war, to Donbass as a volunteer. I've wanted to for a long time.

"Donbass, you're Donbass," Uncle Borya grins and rubs the top of the guy's head with his palm. "Who's going to hire you for such a charade?" You'll wreck tanks there. I would have felt sorry for my mother and father. Dear people in the village.

– Come on, Uncle Boris, don't treat me. I'll sort it out somehow, I won't see fat for centuries. Get out, you'd better call an emergency.

EPISODE 10

Basement. Day. Our days. Donbass slowly opens its eyes and sees a basement with pipes in front of it. Dim light makes its way through a small window at the top of the wall. Approaching Ukrainian speech can be heard from afar. The battered face of a man in civilian clothes with a white bandage on his right sleeve appears through the darkness.

Behind him, the rest of the women and men come out of the darkness. Two children are among them. Preschool and school age groups. There were ten people in total, accompanied by three Nazis, Olesya, Vasil and Olena. On their uniforms they have the emblems of the fascist group "Azov", with machine guns at the ready.

– (in Ukrainian) So they stood facing the wall," one of the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, named Oles, orders harshly in Ukrainian. "Now get on your knees.".

Donbass sees through a veil that other martyrs have beaten faces and white armbands. They stand in formation, with their heads bowed. The Nazis begin to forcefully push some of them into the shoulders to the floor, and one by one they kneel down. A woman's crying and whispered prayers appear.

"You spared my children, you monsters. – Says the elderly woman, choking in her voice.

– Why are you doing this to us? – adds the man.

– What do the children have to do with it? – the old man is indignant.

Oles pulls out a pistol and shoots at the ceiling. The roar of a gunshot echoes through the basement. There is silence. The Nazi points the barrel of a pistol at the back of the head of the first victim.

– (in Ukrainian) Everybody shut up!! Have you not heard the order of Commander-in-Chief Zelensky? All koloborants with white symbols on their sleeves are to be shot as traitors.

– (in Ukrainian) You guys sold our homeland to the Maskals for humanitarian aid. – Vasil supports his commander.

– (in Ukrainian) Stop, Oles! Olena calls out. "Ask if there's a doctor among them."

– (in Ukrainian) The question is clear, are you shameful devils? I don't hear the answer.

– I'm a veterinarian. – A man's trembling voice is heard.

– (in Ukrainian) Leave this one, and finish the rest.

– What are you doing, Slavs? – Donbass is trying to shout out through the pain. "We're brothers, aren't we?"

– (in Ukrainian) The Tambov wolf is both your brother and your comrade. – Oles, with a devilish mockery, fires several shots and people fall from their knees like a stone. There's only one left.

– (in Ukrainian) So, you're a medic. – Oles grins. "Can you subdue this Maskal for a couple of days?"

"I'm a veterinarian, not a surgeon,– the man replies, startled.

– (in Ukrainian) Did you castrate the pigs?

– yes.

– (in Ukrainian) Well, that's it. Why is this not a pig? Just sew up a hole to stop the bleeding.

– (in Ukrainian) Why do we need this orc at all? Olena asks at the window.

– (in Ukrainian) The Pole wanted to interrogate him. Vasil, bring the first-aid kit.

– (in Ukrainian) Are there needles in it?

– (in Ukrainian) It's an American first aid kit, loony. It has everything. And even Tromodol.

– (in Ukrainian) And condoms. Olena laughs.

Vasil goes off into the darkness.

– And how to disinfect? – The man asks in a trembling voice.

– (in Ukrainian) With snot.

The veterinarian sits down to Donbass and opens the wound from under his clothes.

"He just won't last a day." He may fall into a coma. The wound is deep.

– (in Ukrainian) You talk a lot, you Maskalsky bitch. – he screams into the darkness. – Vasil, bring a gorilla.

The gangly gait of a skinny militant appears out of the darkness with a first-aid kit in one hand and a bottle of moonshine in the other. Oles takes a military knife out of his belt and hands it to the veterinarian. Vasil hands him a first-aid kit. He takes a sip from his throat and offers it to his colleagues. Olena takes it and also takes a sip of the bottle and passes it to Olesya.

– (in Ukrainian) Glory to Ukraine! – Exhaling, Oles shouts.

– (in Ukrainian) Glory to the Heroes! – they both answer. Oles hands the bottle to the veterinarian. – (in Ukrainian) Why don't you say something?

He takes the container from Olesya's hands and fills the bleeding wound. Donbass abruptly opens its eyes and screams in agony. The veterinarian fills the wound again. An explosion is heard outside and plaster is falling from the ceiling. Oles frowns and looks out the window.