In Kabardino-Balkaria, a bus driver named Tonya is waiting for the return of her son, Zhenya, who left to fight in Syria.
When she receives news of his death, she refuses to believe it and launches a relentless fight with local authorities, demanding his return.
As their strained relationship evolves from suspicion and fear to a fragile acceptance, Tonya wonders if the state has sent an imposter to silence her.
Her hope and distrust collide, leading to a breaking point when Zhenya is threatened with arrest and decides to leave for yet another conflict.
In the end, Tonya is left questioning whether she ever truly saw her son again or if her desperate grief created an illusion of his return.