Sakhalin ( , ; Japanese : Karafuto or Saharin ; or è -- å `` æ -- \/ è å `` æ -- SÃ hÄ lÃ n ) , also known as Saghalien , is a large , long Russian island in the North Pacific , placed between 45 Â 50 ' and 54 Â 24 ' N. It is part of Russia territory and is its largest island , administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast . Sakhalin ( , ; also known as Kuye ; Japanese : Karafuto or Saharin ) , also Saghalien , is a large island in the North Pacific , lying between 45 Â 50 ' and 54 Â 24 ' N. It is part of Russia and is its largest island , administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast .