Iron People - The Photo Book

“Iron People” tells the story of the war in Ukraine from the perspective of its railway community. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, more than 200,000 railway workers have kept the trains running under constant attack. Their efforts have saved countless lives and proved vital to the country’s ability to resist the invasion. Dutch photographer and writer Jelle Krings embedded with railway workers and their families across the country for more than three years and created a moving portrait of human courage and resilience. 

The book consists of five chapters with photographs and text covering everything from civilian evacuations to military transports throughout the country. The chapters are divided by sections that offer an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of railway families and sub-communities, with personal accounts and stories from along the tracks. Together, they form a poignant testimony of a community at the frontline of Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine.

The stories behind “Iron People” were published widely, including by National Geographic, The Guardian, CNN, The Economist, Stern, and De Volkskrant. They received multiple honors, including from Pictures of the Year International, the International Photography Awards, and the Dutch De Zilveren Camera. One publication was shortlisted for the Visa d’Or Franceinfo Award for Best Digital News Story. “Iron People” is exhibited in Ukraine, Bulgaria and Hungary and is confirmed to be exhibited in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Proceeds from the book will support future exhibitions and help continue sharing the vital testimony of Ukraine’s railway workers with the world.