Siberia, on the Road to the Gulags | Deadliest Journeys

Best Documentary2 minutes read

The treacherous M56 road in Siberia, plagued by poor visibility, extreme cold, and local bandits, challenges truck drivers like Igor who must navigate dust storms and dangerous conditions to deliver their cargo. Despite facing accidents, harsh conditions, and superstitions, drivers like Igor successfully brave the road to complete their deliveries in the remote and challenging landscape of Siberia.

Insights

  • The M56 road in Siberia, built under Stalin, poses significant dangers to drivers due to poor visibility from dust, extreme cold preventing the use of tar, and the presence of local bandits causing traffic disruptions.
  • Truck drivers like Igor face numerous challenges, including navigating treacherous conditions, dealing with high fuel prices and superstitions, and encountering obstacles like dust storms and mudslides, highlighting the resilience and determination required to successfully deliver cargo in such harsh environments.

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Recent questions

  • What challenges do truck drivers face on the M56 road?

    Poor visibility, extreme cold, bandit blockades, and road conditions.

  • How do workers try to improve the M56 road?

    Workers face harsh conditions and hunt for food.

  • What superstitions do truck drivers on the M56 road have?

    Superstitions about ghosts and bandits.

  • How do truckers navigate the slippery Kolyma Highway?

    Using branches for grip and preventing sliding.

  • What precautions do truckers take against bandits on the road?

    Carrying guns for protection against potential threats.

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Summary

00:00

Treacherous Siberian road challenges brave trucker.

  • The M56 road is perilous, running over 1,200 kilometers from Neryungri to Yakutsk in Siberia.
  • Constructed under Stalin, the road is plagued by dust in summer, causing accidents due to poor visibility.
  • Extreme cold temperatures of -65 Celsius prevent the use of tar, leading to the road being made of stones that cause severe vibrations.
  • Local bandits block the road for robbery, creating traffic jams and dangerous situations for drivers.
  • Igor, a truck driver, transports beer along this treacherous road, facing challenges like dust storms and mudslides.
  • The road is infamous for accidents, with drivers facing tire bursts, chassis damage, and punctures due to poor road conditions.
  • Workers are hired to improve the road, facing harsh conditions and resorting to hunting for food.
  • Igor faces challenges like high fuel prices, black market fuel sales, and superstitions about ghosts and bandits.
  • Despite fatigue and dangers, Igor successfully delivers the beer cargo to Yakutsk without breakages.
  • Igor continues his journey on the Kolyma Highway, facing icy conditions and dangerous marshes, aiming to deliver his cargo to the Great North.

23:02

Treacherous Siberian road journey with dangers

  • The road is clay and full of water, making it slippery and difficult to navigate.
  • Truckers in Siberia own their vehicles and are responsible for their cargo.
  • Branches are used to provide grip and prevent sliding when towing out a stuck truck.
  • Alexei carries a gun due to concerns about bandits blocking the road.
  • A ferry is used to cross a river, with gypsies negotiating passage with coats.
  • Nikolai embarks on a challenging 300-kilometer journey to a remote village.
  • The road was built by Gulag prisoners and is now treacherous and abandoned.
  • Nikolai recalls the harsh conditions and deaths of prisoners during construction.
  • The journey to the village involves dangerous roads, harsh weather, and a tribute to a forgotten god for safe passage.
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