The stories included in the book are about the true past time of the last years of the existence of the Soviet Union, seemingly recent, but distant in the light of the events that swept through the conglomerate of countries living side by side and united; an inside look at service in the army of that time, at life itself - with all the details that only an eyewitness with the talent of a subtle observer, a wonderful sense of humor and a wonderful memory can write about. These are testimonies of an unbiased contemporary, conveyed in a lively form, written in the author's genuine style with thoughtful and funny digressions, explanations and explanations of the author. Therefore, fascinating and informative reading is available not only to a contemporary of the actions described, but to people of any generation who are interested in the living history of our country and learning the essence, soul and character of the Russian people, who unexpectedly found themselves in harsh and cruel conditions of preparation for military action and a real war; people of the “Soviet” formation and way of life, representatives of many nationalities in a wide range of meetings, communication, obvious and deep relationships between people, who, by the will of fate, found themselves in the circumstances of a harsh, unpredictable reality. The end of the eighties of the last century. No one yet suggests that the union of Soviet republics may fall apart, that the war in Afghanistan will ever end. Oleg, a young cadet from the Klaipėda Marine Corps, could not even imagine that he would find himself first in Central Asia, and then in Afghanistan with a weapon in his hands. “...The stream carried everyone to the only insatiable vent at that time, to the “black hole” of that time, to the source of “hot spots”, to our southern borders of the Motherland.” Different people, different characters, different nationalities, different destinies on the same parched land under our feet. Not everyone returned home, for all of them the war has become commonplace, but rottenness or decency manifests itself and remains with a person at all stages of life’s journey.