Ukraine Opens First Underground Military Training Hub Built with Metinvest’s Steel Dream Technology

Ukraine has unveiled its first underground military training hub, a fortified facility built entirely from steel modules supplied by Metinvest Group under its Steel Dream construction concept. The project, valued at UAH 16 million, is part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front initiative, which has been supporting Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction efforts since the beginning of the war.

The new structure, located at one of Ukraine’s military educational institutions, represents a significant advancement in wartime infrastructure design — combining protection, functionality, and mobility in one system. The steel-constructed complex spans nearly 100 square meters and was completed in just six weeks using prefabricated, high-strength steel segments designed to withstand heavy impacts and aerial debris.

According to the developer, the hub meets Ukrainian national construction standards for protective structures and serves as both a secure bomb shelter and a multifunctional training centre. It can accommodate over 70 trainees for daily instruction, and in emergency situations, it can shelter up to 150 people. The shelter’s layout allows uninterrupted training even during air-raid alerts, a vital requirement for maintaining military readiness amid ongoing conflict.

Built adjacent to the main academy building, the hub is connected through reinforced steel walkways and buried deep enough to withstand drone strikes, artillery fragments, and collapsing debris. Inside, it houses three training zones, sanitary facilities, and five exits, including a dedicated emergency escape route that leads to a safe distance from the main structure. The design also features foldable furniture and modular partitions, allowing the interior to be quickly reconfigured for lectures, tactical exercises, or combat medicine training.

A New Model for Safety and Functionality

The facility’s design was developed in response to a request from the Odesa Military Academy, which sought a way to continue training without interruption from air-raid alarms. “We needed a solution that could guarantee safety and allow us to maintain training continuity,” said Andrii Stupin, head of logistics at the academy. “Every attack threatens not only lives but also disrupts the rhythm of military education. Metinvest’s contribution provided a functional and modern environment where lessons, tactical drills, and even rest can take place safely. This shelter is more than steel — it’s about care for the people who serve.”

Metinvest Group’s engineers designed the Steel Dream shelter to be modular and easily adaptable. It can be integrated with existing buildings or built as standalone units, offering various configurations depending on space, function, or threat level. The company has also developed variants for anti-radiation, temporary, and civilian shelters, supporting both military and public infrastructure needs.

“The Steel Dream concept demonstrates how steel can become a foundation of Ukraine’s resilience and recovery,” said Yuriy Ryzhenkov, CEO of Metinvest Group. “It is a fast, reliable, and sustainable solution that ensures safety and continuity — in education, defense, and public life. Even during war, steel is protecting lives and shaping a new architecture of safety for Ukraine.”

Built for War, Ready for Reconstruction

While originally developed for military use, the same design principles are now being considered for civilian applications, including schools, hospitals, and administrative buildings in frontline or high-risk areas. The Steel Dream platform currently includes over 200 prefabricated building designs, ranging from emergency housing to commercial facilities, all based on modular steel frames that can be rapidly deployed and assembled.

Each design package includes detailed cost estimates, technical documentation, and construction timelines, allowing municipalities or organizations to begin building as soon as funding is secured. This approach has become increasingly vital as Ukraine faces the dual challenge of defense and reconstruction, often in regions where traditional construction is unsafe or impractical.

The Steel Front initiative, launched by Rinat Akhmetov in 2022, brings together Metinvest’s industrial resources to provide military-grade materials, shelters, and logistics support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To date, the company has supplied thousands of tonnes of rolled steel, protective armor plates, and prefabricated fortification modules for both the front lines and rear areas.

A Blueprint for the Future

The Odesa Military Academy’s underground hub is expected to become a prototype for similar installations across Ukraine. Discussions are already underway with the Ministry of Defence and regional administrations to replicate the model at other training centers and universities.

In a country where air-raid sirens are a daily reality, such innovations are not merely symbolic — they are practical solutions that save time, lives, and infrastructure. The Steel Dream concept shows how modern industrial design can be adapted to meet immediate wartime needs while also laying the groundwork for post-war reconstruction.

As Ukraine continues to invest in safety-focused architecture, Metinvest’s steel-built shelters may soon become a familiar sight — protecting both soldiers in training and civilians in recovery, uniting the country’s defense and rebuilding efforts under one resilient framework.