Autumn, 1914. After meeting Khrystyna in church, Mykyta falls in love and reveals his feelings to her. But Khrystyna publicly rejects Mykyta. Unable to bear the insult, Mykyta decides to go to the front line. A year later, Mykyta returns to the village from battle with an injury. Khrystyna's mother has passed away, and in desperation, she attempts to jump off of a bridge.

Khrystyna and her children find themselves in Luhansk. She manages to get a job at the school, but with harsh working conditions. For the sake of the children, Khrystyna also goes to work as a butcher in a slaughterhouse, where she is revered for her skills. After serving his term in the prison camp, Mykyta returns to the village, looking for his family. Instead, he finds cruelty left by Myron.

Brothers Oleksandr and Serhiy now study at the university. For the honor to represent their institute in a boxing competition, the brothers face off in the ring. After receiving a "blessing" from the world opera star, Raisa Okipnaya, Maryana is preparing for a career as an opera singer. Bohdana starts working in the maternity ward under the guidance of the famous professor, Dr. Zelensky.

The German occupation is in full swing. Maryana's apartment is given to a German officer and his mistress, Inna. By order of the occupation forces, Bohdana is sent to work in a hospital. Maryana finds out that Inna is actually an undercover worker, and joins the resistance. Bohdana and Khrystyna arrive at the Darnytsia concentration camp, hoping to find Oleksandr or Sergiy among the prisoners.

The war has finally come to an end. Bogdana works as the head of the maternity ward. Maryana waits anxiously for Oleksandr's return, only to find he's brought back a pregnant wife, Lisa. Violating precautions from her doctor, Maryana takes part in a concert and damages her voice. Oleksandr confesses to his mother that Sergiy was convicted of treason and is being held in a detention camp.

1961. The daughter of Oleksandr and Lisa, Elina, falls in love with a foreign student from Algeria. Oleksandr doesn't accept Elina's new lover. After returning from the detention camp, Sergiy lives with his beloved Maryana. She gives birth to a son, named Petro. Although she never became a star, Maryana continued to sing on the road. This angers Sergiy, bringing hardship to their family.

Sergiy returns to Ukraine and brings Vasylyna along with him. His son Petro immediately falls in love with her. Meanwhile, Oleksandr is left completely alone, and celebrates the new year of 1970 in solitude. Maryana tries to persuade Oleksandr to reconcile with Sergiy, but Oleksandr refuses. Sergiy finds out from his mother in secret, that Mykyta's death was partially her fault.

1977. After resigning from the KGB service, Oleksandr works in a notary's office and raises his granddaughter Shurochka. Shurochka has grandiose plans for the future: to become famous all over the world! In the lobby of an Algerian hotel, Elina accidentally meets her mother Lisa, who she considered to be dead since childhood. Mykyta, Bogdana's son, struggles to find out the truth about his father.

1991. Ukraine gains independence. The members of Cossack family have different attitudes and expectations. Petro cannot adapt to the "new age", while his daughters, Galya and Olena, embrace the changes. Petro tries to start a "serious business", but gets into trouble and has to sell the apartment for debts. Petro's family returns to their father, in Maryana's old apartment.

2004, the Orange Revolution rages on. Vasylyna helps protesters, but Petro isn't happy. Battling with alcoholism, Petro realized he needs a change. With Mykyta's help, he goes to work in Norway. Shurochka becomes successful as an artist in the USA, but her love for Ukraine brings her back. Shurochka falls in love with Mykhailo, but their affair is short lived after he finds out she's a star.

2011. Already well-known in the USA, the singer Shurochka is dissatisfied with her life, work and relationship with a wealthy businessman Valentyn. She returns home to Ukraine, realizing her love for Mykhailo. Oleksandr and Sergiy can't forgive each other and this brings worries to their whole family. However, Vika learns of Oleksandr's secret, which could just bring the brothers to reconcile.

November 2013. Returning from duty, Ivan sees Berkut troopers ruthlessly beating students on the Maidan. He intervenes and also falls under the batons of law enforcement. Galyna and Olena finally reconcile due to mutual problems. Mykyta goes to work in the east of the country, where he is not happy at all. He meets Svitlana, who saves him from depression. Sergiy and Oleksandr finally reconcile.