Bumbarash

A war-weary soldier who returns from an Austrian WWI prison camp after being captured during a balloon reconnaissance. He longs to abandon fighting, yet the upheaval of his village drags him back into danger. Resourceful and stubborn, he navigates a landscape where loyalties constantly shift and danger lurks at every turn.

Bumbara's love interest who, after believing him dead, marries Gavrila. She shows resilience and courage, helping Bumbara escape and playing a pivotal role in the village's dangerous games of trust. Her choices are torn between personal loyalty and the pulsing violence around her.

Head of the local militia whose authority borders on banditry. He is a central figure in the village's power struggles and has a volatile relationship with Varya. His actions drive key confrontations, including the pursuit of Bumbara and the tragic events surrounding Varya.

A ruthless gang leader allied with Gavrila. She orchestrates plans, captures and confronts rivals, and embodies the violence fueling the conflict. Her downfall comes at the hands of the Red Army when a staged illness leads to a brutal confrontation.

A wandering ally who teams with Bumbara to ambush Sofya's gang and later joins the Red Army. He is pragmatic and collaborative, contributing to bold plans while navigating the perils of a war-torn landscape.

The miller who sheltered Bumbara and is linked to the bandits. He acts as a moral pivot in the village, a witness to the brutal consequences of the conflict, including Yashka's execution.

Red Army commissar whose coat, given to Bumbara by Varya, triggers arrest on murder suspicions. He represents the political arm of the conflict and the perils of symbolism and misidentification in chaotic times.