A couple of additional tidbits, probably not really contributing to the Russian timezones discussion, but possibly interesting to some. Most details are from memory; I have not the time to look up all references. 1) Back then another contributor to the TZ list looked up which districts (ulusy) of Sakha (Jakutija) were in which timezone. I merely incorporated his research into my report on all Russian timezones. I tried to give him credits, but his name was somehow lost in the comments in the TZ file. I forgot, I have lost the emails, if reference is needed: please look it up yourself in the TZ mail archive. 2) Transliteration scheme: back then I chose for the Chemical Abstracts transliteration which had 2 advantages: (a) two-way, (b) Posix 1 compatible. Two-way means: the transliterated text can be transformed back into Russian again. With schemes like GOST 7.79 (ISO 9) and several other schemes, only one-way transliteration is possible. Why Posix 1? Because the text files in the TZ distribution have no document type definition, nor any character set designation. Furthermore, the rest of the database and the software should be Posix 1 compatible, I learned from the TZ maintainers. Hence: thou shalt not use any characters beyond 7-bits ASCII or so. 3) Districts in Sakha are in this republic called ulusy (nominative case; singular: ulus), in several other Russian publications they are called rajony (singular: rajon). The law (see my point 5) gives both terms. I think "districts" is close enough for a text comment in English. 4) With respect to the transliteration scheme in the comments: what are we talking about? At any rate not about any vital part of the TZ software. I wouldn't give it much more attention, if I may suggest. 5) The law (http://www.garant.ru/hotlaw/federal/346568/) states very clearly which Sakha districts are in which timezone. Please check this for current times in the TZ database, if not done already. There is however one not so clear part, namely the Newsiberian Islands. From memory I recall that one TZ contributor said they are administered from the central government of the republic. Heaving read several texts and looked at a couple of Russian maps, I'm inclined to believe the islands are part of the Bulunskij Ulus. Regretfully I have no definitive reference for you. Then again: how many people actually live in this reserve? So, what is the effect if we put it into the wrong timezone? Oscar van Vlijmen