Russia elections: A look at the difficulties pensioners face

On 4 December Russia will elect a new Parliament - but will the vote be entirely free and fair across the whole country?

BBC News has been to visit a provincial town called Tambov to find out what ordinary Russians think.

Known as the "black heart" of Russia because of its rich soil and farmland, Tambov lies about 500km south east of Moscow.

The BBC's Steve Rosenberg met a pensioner from the town, Galina Lavrukhina. A retired doctor, she receives pension of around £150 a month and by the time she has paid her utility bills and done her shopping, there is nothing left.

You can watch more of Steve Rosenberg's reports from Tambov on the BBC News Channel and BBC World on 30 November and 1 December.