Letnyaya Zolotitsa is a village situated along the shores of the White Sea, approximately 180 kilometers from Arkhangelsk. During winter, access to the village is limited to snowmobiles or, alternatively, by air using an old An-2 aircraft. Ilya Ikonnikov, the head of the Letnyaya Zolotitsa landing site, assumes multiple roles, serving as an air traffic controller, airfield watchman, cashier, loader, and stoker—all in one. He travels to the village from his hometown of Onega as part of his duty. Ikonnikov, a former journalist and poet, finds less recognition and congratulations in his aviation work than the personalized epitaphs he crafts. However, he considers the "An-2 service" a calling passed down from his grandfather and father.
The village, with fewer than 200 residents, experiences an influx of seasonal inhabitants during the summer. Most employment opportunities are in public organizations such as the post office, school, and administration, offering modest salaries. The Pomors, traditionally engaged in fishing, often find themselves unintentionally engaging in poaching due to challenging bureaucratic regulations. Letnyaya Zolotitsa lacks mobile communication and has limited internet access, but central television is readily available. Conversations often revolve around the war in Ukraine, and patriotism is taught in special lessons at the local school. While Ikonnikov opposes the war, his stance is somewhat of an exception in the village.
