Photographs by Sasha Maslov that document the famous Ukrainian 'Railroad Ladies'

Presented in a new book, released by Osnovy Publishing this summer, Ukrainian Railroad Ladies features images that explore why these professions still exist in the 21st century, given that almost all of Ukraine's railway crossings have been automated. It's a study of the "anthropological and social aspects of this phenomenon and the overall role of Ukraine's railroad system," says Maslov.

In the portraits, we see hints at what their job entails. Based in rural, quiet areas, there's often much waiting around, so the women tend to their gardens, carry out maintenance or sort out other menial chores. But much of their shift is spent inside tiny railway houses, built specifically for them, adjacent to the tracks. It's these quaint buildings that feature most prominently in Maslov's work. "Ukraine's railroad ladies are a kind of lighthouse: a symbol of how certain things in this country stand firm in the present as a defiant nod to the past," explains Maslov.

Proudly posing in their smart uniforms, Maslov puts them centre stage against backdrops that look like they were taken decades ago rather than in the last few years. It's as though Ukraine is holding onto a past that no longer exists.

"The country has been consumed by political turmoil: a war in the East and loss of its territory to an aggressive neighbour, never mind the endless corruption and permanently troubled economy," says Maslov. "In Ukraine, people pay little attention to the women they see from a train window, standing and most often holding a folded yellow flag – a sign to the train engineer that all is well on the tracks ahead. And although the country and the world are consumed with much larger issues, the people with folded yellow flags play a big, yet silent role in Ukrainian everyday life."

Known for his social documentary portraits, it was a project that took Maslov to all four corners of the Eastern Europe country. "In a storm, it's often hard to see the lighthouse," adds Maslov. "Ukraine's railroad ladies are a kind of lighthouse: a symbol of how certain things in this country stand firm in the present as a defiant nod to the past. Unfazed by the passing of trains and time, they are here to stay."

A Ukrainian-American portrait photographer and storyteller, represented by INSTITUTE, Sasha Maslov is based in New York City. His work has been exhibited in various photo galleries and art spaces around Europe and the United States. You can order a copy of his book, Ukrainian Railroad Ladies' via Osnovy Publishing.