Kraken

In the Arctic Ocean, close to the North Pole, geologists Julia (Diana Pozharskaya) and Oskar (Anton Rival) are conducting a series of hydrological experiments for a Swedish expedition using explosive charges. Nearby, the experimental submarine Ataman Yermak is transiting the area while under the sea ice, under the command of Captain First Rank Alexander Voronin (Viktor Dobronravov). At the same time, Julia and Oskar crash their snowmobile, before seeing their camp completely enveloped into the ice. The crew of Ataman Yermak report activity of an unknown nature, before foundering as a result of critical damage. As the submarine goes under, the crew jettison the vessels emergency locator beacon.

In response, the Russian Navy despatches the submarine Zapolyarye on a rescue mission. Ataman Yermak was carrying a secret experimental weapon, which must now be destroyed at all costs. Admiral Belousov (Sergei Garmash) appoints Captain Second Rank Viktor Voronin (Alexander Petrov), Alexander Voronin's younger brother as commander of the Zapolyarye. They share a complex family relationship. Counter Admiral Olshansky (Aleksei Guskov) is dispatched alongside Viktor, who could assume command if Voronin, due to the personal nature of the operation, is unable to effectively command. Zapolyarye is additionally loaded with a deep submergence rescue vehicle for the operation. Viktor is given his father's dive watch, which his brother forget to take with him.

Meanwhile, Julia and Oskar find the emergency beacon. Zapolyarye also identify the signal from the beacon and begin to plot a course towards it. The vessel encounters a large pod of whales exhibiting unusual behaviour, using the ships sonar to disperse the animals. An unidentified creature is spotted close to the vessel. Olshansky insists on engaging the anomaly with the ships torpedoes, while Voronin decides to hide the submarine among the sea ice, narrowly escaping the creature while sustaining minor damage to the ship, to the disapproval of Olshansky. The crew rescue Julia and Oskar.

Olshansky wishes to return to Murmansk, while Voronin decides to continue the search. Olshansky warns him that this was his second mistake, and would be relieved of command if he made another. With the kraken still on their tail, Zapolyarye passes by a Norwegian oil rig, which is quickly subsumed by the creature, which continues towards the submarine. Olshansky states that this is Voronin's third mistake, and relieves him of command, attempting to attack the Kraken by firing the submarines torpedoes, to little success. In shock Olshansky freezes, with Voronin reassuming command and ordering the submarine to crash dive and turn off all nonessential equipment. With the damage sustained, Voronin decides to return to base.

Julia visits Voronin and reveals that the researchers had disturbed the Kraken, a colossal monster lurking on the seabed. Julia states that the monsters lair may have been located at the site of the experiments in the Nansen Basin, suggesting that Ataman Yermak may be found there. A faint metallic knocking sound is also heard on sonar, located in the same area. As a result Voronin decides to continue the search, reaching an abyss. The deep submergence rescue vehicle piloted by Koshkin (Sergei Kempo) is deployed to search for the missing submarine. Amidst a graveyard of ships, the wreckage of Ataman Yermak is found, with its stern destroyed but bow section intact. Upon docking and entering the escape trunk, Voronin discovers several of the crew of Ataman Yermak are alive, including his brother Alexander Voronin. The most severely injured crew members are evacuated on the small DSRV, while Viktor, Alexander and several crew members remain aboard Ataman Yermak to disable its experimental weapon. Koshkin leaves a locator beacon on the hull of the ship, but turns it off after remembering Viktor's orders.

The scientist Oskar offers to assist Koshkin in returning the DSRV for the second time to Ataman Yermak. Unable to locate the wreck, the locator beacon is reactivated. With the beacon back on, the kraken returns in pursuit of Zapolyarye. Severely damaged, the ship is forced to surface. Meanwhile the DSRV reached the wreck site, but with the kraken in close pursuit. As a result, Viktor and Alexander decide to activate the ships experimental weapon, firing a large energy beam into the air killing the monster. After initiating the weapons self-destruct sequence, the remaining crew narrowly escape to the DSRV, with the bow section tumbling into the abyss. The submarine detonates, with the rescue vehicle sent spinning.

Zapolyarye waits on the surface led by Olshansky, with the DSRV surfacing with a triumphant Viktor and Alexander. Viktor offers the dive watch, with Alexander stating that Viktor had earned it. The submarine returns to Kola Bay, with Viktor and Alexander together atop the submarines conning tower.