The Cold Summer of 1953

A former Military Intelligence Captain and veteran who was exiled after false charges. He forms a wary alliance with Kopalych and uses sharp wits to navigate a hostile village. Throughout the siege, he fights to protect the vulnerable and ultimately confronts the surviving bandit leader, reclaiming agency in a brutal showdown by the water. His resilience epitomizes the pungent mix of courage and pragmatism in the post-amnesty era.

Former Chief Engineer, exiled under dubious charges, and a pragmatic companion to Luzga. He demonstrates fearless sacrifice to create a distraction, allowing Luzga to strike back at the bandits. He dies in the struggle, underscoring the cost of resistance in a climate of political vengeance. His memory becomes a touchstone for justice later in the story.

A deaf-mute cook and the mother of Shura. She hides her daughter during the bandit siege, demonstrating maternal resolve in the face of danger. Her decisions drive the tension in the barn scenes, and she embodies quiet endurance amid violence. Her role anchors the human cost of chaos in the village.

A young girl whose safety becomes a focal point of the siege. She is locked away to protect her from the bandits, then forced into the woods where danger intensifies. Her fate culminates in tragedy, highlighting the personal cost of political turmoil and the brutality of the era.

The experienced bandit leader who channels predatory power and lust, orchestrating the raid on the village. He survives initial gunfire and remains a looming threat, returning to exact a brutal final act that shapes Luzga’s relentless pursuit. His presence embodies the ruthless opportunism that flourished in the post-amnesty period.

The village policeman who becomes a target of the bandits. His death at their hands marks a turning point in the villagers’ defense and intensifies the resolve of Luzga and Kopalych. His loss underscores the fragility of order in a time of upheaval.

The oldest bandit among the group, whose demise is orchestrated by Luzga. His arc serves to illustrate the violence of the raid and the costs of rebellion against marauders. His death further polarizes the survivors and cements Luzga’s gravity in the pursuit of justice.