then, digging is heard. to kulkov's dismay, he hears german voices. von sturmer taunts him, revealing the truth about the german attack and boasting about his earlier lie. when he rushes to the blocked entrance, kulkov shoots him and prepares to kill everyone else. but to his delight, his dog is first through the opening in the rubble. the germans digging were prisoners; the soviets have launched their offensive and reached the building. kulkov passes along the vital information he has obtained from von sturmer to colonel semenov before falling asleep.