The film is based on the real story of the feat of the crew of a Soviet KV-1 tank under the command of Semyon Konovalov,[1] which took part in an unequal battle on 13th July 1942, and destroyed 16 tanks, two armored vehicles and eight other vehicles from enemy forces in the area of the village of Nizhnemityakin [ru], Tarasovsky District, Rostov Oblast.

[4] The film opens with tank commander Semyon Konovalov's KV-1 hunting and destroying a German PzKpfw IV.

One of them, Gubkin, gossips about a miracle engineer who is known to bring dead tanks to life, which annoys his older comrades.

The Deputy Political Officer of the Battalion Major Vladimir Krotov, wants Konovalov to be court martialed.

Captain Konovalov is given a new crew, consisting of gunner Siitov, loader Bogdan, driver Rykov and radio operator Gubkin, along with a battered KV-1.

Meanwhile, Pavla manages to temporarily start the damaged KV's engine, and tests the tank alongside Konovalov.

The crew are unable to repair the KV in time for the offensive, which means they have to go to the front as tank-borne infantry-men.

A mortar explosion causes Bogdan to lose his balance, and his weapon strap gets stuck in a tank passing by.

As they make their way back to the battlefield, they unexpectedly come across a Panzer formation, who have taken a detour to flank the Soviets from the rear.

The crew except for Bogdan, who died earlier while repairing the track, and Gubkin, who refused to leave the burning tank to cover them.

The film contains inconsistencies related to the true story of Konovalov's feat and other historical innacurqcies.