Winter. 1943. The invading forces occupying Mother Russia are finally on the run. Major Sergei Miasnikov, still recovering from wounds taken in the desperate defence of Stalingrad, is given orders to return to duty. Unwillingly handed to the care of the NKVD - Stalin's dreaded secret police - he is forced to take on a new identity and given command of a squad of rogues, scoundrels and thieves. Sent to infiltrate deep into the heart of occupied Poland their mission is simple - to destroy a Nazi research site before it turns the tide of war once more. Its name - the Tailleferstab.