A Dutch foundation has unveiled plans to construct what is anticipated to be Ukraine’s largest underground hospital, strategically positioned near the front line to offer emergency medical care while shielding patients and staff from drone and artillery strikes. Spanning approximately 600 square meters, this facility will be built around 8 meters underground, utilizing reinforced concrete to endure heavy assaults. It will feature six operating rooms dedicated to urgent trauma procedures, such as surgeries for shrapnel injuries and blood transfusions.
This underground establishment is not intended to function as a long-term hospital; instead, it will serve as a stabilization center, allowing severely injured soldiers to undergo immediate surgery before being transported to hospitals further from the conflict zone. The specific location remains undisclosed for security purposes, with construction preparations already in progress. The hospital is slated to commence operations by February 2027.
The project, requested by Ukraine’s Military Medical Service, is being executed with the assistance of a Norwegian healthcare foundation. The estimated cost for constructing the underground complex stands at €2 million, while an additional €500,000 will be needed for medical equipment, supplies, and armored evacuation vehicles. Consequently, the total expenditure for the project is expected to reach €2.5 million. The foundation has successfully raised approximately €750,000 thus far and is actively seeking an additional €1.75 million to meet the financial requirements.
Project organizers emphasize that the extensive use of drones in the vicinity of the battlefield has heightened the dangers associated with conventional evacuation methods, underscoring the necessity for secure medical facilities in close proximity to combat zones. This initiative aims to address these challenges by providing a fortified environment for immediate medical intervention in high-risk areas.