Ukraine Opens First Underground Bunker Hospital for Frontline Troops

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has unveiled its first underground bunker hospital, a pioneering medical facility designed to save lives on the frontline. Located in Kyiv, this state-of-the-art facility represents a significant step forward in ensuring the well-being of Ukrainian soldiers, as they continue to face the brutal realities of war against Russian forces. With a construction cost of approximately 20 million hryvnias ($486,431), the facility is a result of a collaborative effort between the Ukrainian government and local steel conglomerate Metinvest.

The hospital, consisting of six steel bunkers, each 7.6 meters long and 2.5 meters in diameter, is equipped to provide emergency medical services that meet NATO’s Role 2 standards. This allows the facility to offer intensive care, stabilization, and post-treatment care, much like a civilian hospital, but with the added protection required for the warzone. Each bunker is fitted with advanced medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, cardiac monitors, defibrillators, ventilators, and surgical tools. The total investment in medical supplies alone is estimated at 7 million hryvnias ($170,251).

The underground hospital is designed to function as a second-echelon medical unit, meaning it can handle critical care for injured soldiers before they are transported to other medical facilities for further treatment. Inside the facility, two operating theaters, two resuscitation units, and resting modules ensure that over 100 patients can be treated at any given time. The layout also includes water supply, ventilation, drainage systems, and even alternative power sources, which are crucial in the event of an attack. Additionally, the hospital is equipped with electronic warfare systems to protect against enemy surveillance and attacks.

The commander of the Ukrainian East Medical Forces, Roman Kuzev, highlighted the significance of this medical hub. “These underground facilities are critically important for saving the lives of our soldiers,” Kuzev said. “With the intensity of the battles, it’s essential to provide swift and secure medical assistance to our heroes. This is just the beginning of a larger initiative aimed at bolstering our medical infrastructure for frontline troops.”

The development of this underground hospital is part of a broader effort by Ukraine to enhance its medical capabilities in response to the continued aggression from Russia. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Metinvest, the industrial giant that helped build the hospital, has invested over 7.5 billion hryvnias ($182.4 million) in Ukraine’s recovery, with around 4 billion hryvnias ($97.2 million) dedicated to defense-related projects.

Oleksandr Myronenko, the Chief Operating Officer of Metinvest, emphasized the importance of the project: “This hospital, located deep underground, is one of the most ambitious and challenging undertakings we’ve had since the war began. Every second counts in saving the lives of our defenders, and we have done everything in our power to make sure doctors can offer timely and effective medical assistance.”

As the war continues, Ukraine’s focus on protecting its soldiers extends beyond the battlefield. The creation of these bunker hospitals ensures that critical medical care can be administered quickly, even under heavy enemy fire, making a significant difference in the survival rates of frontline troops. It’s a powerful demonstration of the country's resilience and dedication to safeguarding its defenders in the face of relentless attacks from Moscow’s forces.