Just comparing travel times for World Championships in Saitama, Tokyo with Vancouver, Canada.
Msc-Vancouver, Cnd --- E-W 8200 km
Msc-Saitama, Jpn ------ W-E 7200 km
Msc-Seoul, RSK -------- W-E 6600 km (although A and E travelled to Japan first)
Flying W>E is always worse for jetlag. It will be interesting to see what travel arrangements they put in place by Alina's team (and for the entire Russian contingent).
On the plus side, Alina has had plenty of practice making that long W>E journey... and then performing well. This year alone Japan the Ice, Japan Open, and of course, the glorious OG in Seoul.
For European Championships, Minsk is a mere 1 hr from Moscow, same distance, give or take, as Saransk.