The ‘Dr. Voyno-Yasenetsky’ train, also known as the ‘St. Luke’ train, is a lifeline for the remote and sparsely populated regions of the Krasnoyarsk Territory in Siberia. The mobile clinic offers a full range of medical services—examinations, medical tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, and even dental care—free of charge under Russia’s compulsory medical insurance policy. Unlike traditional clinics, however, this healthcare facility arrives on steel tracks, bringing essential services to isolated villages for one or two days at a time.

In my documentary photo series, I capture the journey of this extraordinary train as it traverses the vast, roadless expanse of Siberia. With over 13.1 million square kilometers (5,100,000 sq mi) and a population that constitutes roughly a quarter of Russia’s total, Siberia is a land of immense distances and sparse habitation. For seven hours, our train chugs through deserted landscapes, passing abandoned villages before reaching our first populated stop. Here, villagers queue patiently to receive medical attention or to baptize their children, as the last carriage houses a moving church with a resident priest.

Through my lens, I document not only the medical consultations and treatments but also the human stories and daily life aboard the train. Doctors, who spend a week at a time on this mission, find moments of respite and camaraderie—playing badminton just outside the train or engaging in a game of volleyball in an empty Soviet-era gym in a village we pass.

This project is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the relentless spirit of healthcare providers who traverse Siberia’s vast wilderness to bring hope and healing to its far-flung inhabitants. My photographs aim to highlight the study of the mobile home-hospital, the stark beauty of Siberia’s landscapes, the ingenuity of mobile medical services, and the deep connections formed between doctors and the communities they serve.