When a partisan attack on a Nazi officer sets off a chain of brutal recriminations, the inhabitants of a German-occupied Ukrainian village are faced with a sickening dilemma lest they not disclose the whereabouts of the fugitives at large.
The new reality changes the usual life in the village of Babylon. Attempts to communize the small town are met with resistance from the rich people living in the town. The Red Army finally puts down the resistance. Amidst the resistance philosopher Fabian returns to Babylon and tries to prevent bloodshed, but he meets a tragic fate.
The German intelligence officer Sturmer, under the guise of captain Voron, commits sabotage one after another with the aim of reaching the commander of the partisan detachment of Stration. Galinka, the daughter of Stration, who fell in love with Voron, invades their duel.
