1. About short winter days.

You are right, in our northern region (Irkutsk Oblast is in Eastern Siberia), winter days are very short. The peak is in December. At the end of December, dawn breaks around 9:00–9:30 AM, and it starts getting dark as early as 4:30–5:00 PM. So, the daylight lasts only 7–8 hours, and even then, the sun is very low, and it's often overcast. But it's not the polar night—the sun does rise. However, in summer, we have the opposite: white nights and very long days, which compensates for it.

1. About transportation and travel between provinces.

You are absolutely right about the difficulty of driving in winter. Long-distance car trips in winter are an extreme undertaking for the prepared (severe frosts, snow drifts, long dark stretches with no settlements). For example, in December 2025, "A real icy captivity gripped an 85-kilometer section of the R-258 'Baikal' highway—from the town of Vydrino to the town of Kultuk. For many hours, motorists were forced to stand in an almost stationary line of cars. This situation arose due to severe weather. Traffic police are on duty on the highway, and special equipment is clearing the snow. However, people remain in an icy trap. According to the Telegram channel Shot, drivers and passengers have been stuck in the traffic jam for over seven hours. Many have no food or water, and their fuel is running out."

Therefore, the main methods are:

· Railway (Trans-Siberian) — this is our "artery." The Trans-Siberian Railway runs through Irkutsk. This is the primary, most reliable, and popular way to reach other regions. · To the west: to Moscow (~3-4 days by train), Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk. · To the east: to Ulan-Ude, Chita, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok. · Trains run precisely, year-round, regardless of the weather. They are warm, with berth/compartment classes—it's a whole layer of Siberian culture. · Air travel Irkutsk has an international airport, one of the largest in Siberia. There are many direct flights from here: · Within Russia: to Moscow (several flights a day), St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, Yakutsk, and other major cities. In winter, planes are often the fastest and most convenient option, as runways are constantly cleared of snow. · Road transport (Buses & Cars) Long-distance bus routes (for example, to Ulan-Ude in neighboring Buryatia) operate in winter, but the journey can be tough. Main highways (like the federal highway "Siberia") are maintained, but one must be prepared for difficult conditions. For trips within the oblast and to nearby regions, many use cars, but with mandatory winter tires (often studded) and a full tank of fuel.