A Dutch foundation has unveiled plans to construct what is anticipated to be Ukraine’s most extensive underground hospital near the conflict’s front line, focusing on delivering emergency medical care while safeguarding patients and medical personnel from drone and artillery threats. This facility, spanning about 600 square meters, will be strategically positioned roughly 8 meters underground. Its reinforced concrete structure is specifically designed to endure heavy bombardments. The hospital will feature six operating rooms dedicated to urgent trauma interventions, including surgeries for shrapnel wounds and procedures such as blood transfusions.
Unlike a traditional long-term medical facility, this establishment will function as an underground stabilization center. It will play a critical role in providing immediate surgical care to severely injured soldiers, allowing them to undergo essential procedures before being transported to hospitals located at a safer distance from the conflict zone. To maintain security, the hospital’s precise location has not been disclosed. Preparations for construction are currently in progress, with an expected opening date set for February 2027.
This ambitious project is being executed following a request from Ukraine’s Military Medical Service and enjoys the backing of a Norwegian healthcare foundation. The underground complex alone is projected to cost €2 million, while additional expenses for medical equipment, supplies, and armored evacuation vehicles are anticipated to amount to €500,000. Consequently, the total cost of the project is estimated to reach €2.5 million. To date, the foundation has successfully raised approximately €750,000 and is actively seeking an additional €1.75 million to meet its funding goals.
Project organizers emphasize that the increasing use of drones on the battlefield has escalated the dangers associated with conventional medical evacuations. This development underscores the growing necessity for fortified medical facilities that can operate in close proximity to combat areas. By providing a secure environment for urgent medical treatment, the underground hospital aims to enhance the safety and effectiveness of medical care for those wounded in conflict.