Nebo v ogne (2010)

Set between 1939 and 1945, this series tells the story of the brave Soviet pilots who fought during the Great Patriotic War. The main character, fighter pilot Vladimir Samoylov, is an ordinary young man who grew up in a children's home and whose ambition to fly began at an early age. Following his dreams, he graduates from aviation school, and the sky becomes his second home. A lovely June day begins with the terrifying sound of howling bombs coming from the sky. The Great Patriotic War is fought by yesterday's air school graduates - young officers Vladimir Samoylov and Konstantin Maretsky from Odessa, the romantic Nikolai Voronin and Ural strongman Vasiliy Astakhov. War becomes their best teacher turning them into outstanding pilots and masters of the sky. Forced to endure the horror which comes with conflict, the friends risk their lives, prove their friendship, find real love and lose the people nearest to them while maintaining their honour and dignity. Tragically, not all of them will return home to celebrate a long-awaited victory.