Bogatyrs

 DaVici, 500 pieces (1 missing). Very elaborate puzzle that wasn't as hard as it initially looked--color variations emerged as I finished different sections. Lots of scenes on the back that apparently fit basically into three shield shapes; many different knights fighting different monsters that I assume come from Russian folktales. 3/5 good example of its type

I thought those ropes on the back might indicate an alternate solution but I couldn't figure anything out

a good head on his shoulders?

fighting a dragon

did the tree need the skull to be creepy? see also the knights yelling in each other's faces at bottom

another dragon

fighting a witch

another witch or something else?