A Dutch foundation has unveiled plans to construct Ukraine’s largest underground hospital, strategically positioned near the front line to deliver emergency medical care while safeguarding patients and medical personnel from drone and artillery threats. This facility, spanning approximately 600 square meters, will be situated about 8 meters below ground, utilizing reinforced concrete to endure significant attacks. It will feature six operating rooms dedicated to urgent trauma cases, including surgeries for shrapnel injuries and blood transfusions.
Rather than serving as a permanent hospital, this establishment is designed as an underground stabilization center. It will enable critically injured soldiers to undergo immediate surgical interventions before being transported to hospitals located further from the front lines. The specific site of the hospital remains undisclosed for security purposes, but construction preparations have commenced, with an anticipated opening in February 2027.
The initiative, requested by Ukraine’s Military Medical Service, is being executed with assistance from a Norwegian healthcare foundation. The estimated cost for the underground complex stands at €2 million, with an additional €500,000 required for medical equipment, supplies, and armored evacuation vehicles. Consequently, the total project expense is projected to reach €2.5 million. Thus far, the foundation has gathered approximately €750,000 and is actively seeking an additional €1.75 million.
Organizers emphasize that the prevalent use of drones near combat zones has rendered traditional evacuation methods increasingly perilous. This underscores the necessity for protected medical facilities in proximity to conflict areas. By establishing this underground hospital, the project aims to address these challenges, providing a vital resource for immediate medical intervention in high-risk environments.