Photo journal: Postcards from Russia

Sakhalin Island, Far Eastern Russia

Galina Namakonova and her husband Sasha, who was severely injured at work four years ago and now requires 24-hour-care.

Sakhalin has had a bleak history, being the destination of many exiled political prisoners. Today, however, the island has a much brighter future as it becomes one of the world’s biggest oil exporting regions.

It remains to be seen whether the likes of Galina and Sasha will see any benefit from this vast potential wealth.