A Dutch foundation has unveiled plans to construct what is set to become Ukraine’s largest underground hospital, strategically located near the front line. This facility aims to provide emergency medical care while ensuring the safety of patients and medical personnel amidst the threat of drone and artillery attacks. Designed to cover approximately 600 square meters and positioned about 8 meters below the ground, the hospital will be built with reinforced concrete to endure heavy bombardment.
Featuring six operating rooms, the hospital will focus on urgent trauma care, including surgeries for shrapnel injuries and blood transfusions. Rather than functioning as a standard hospital for long-term care, this underground center is intended as a stabilization hub, offering immediate surgical intervention for severely wounded soldiers before they are evacuated to other facilities further from the combat zone.
The exact location of the hospital remains undisclosed for security purposes. However, preparations for construction are already in motion, with the facility slated to open by February 2027. This ambitious project is being carried out at the behest of Ukraine’s Military Medical Service and is supported by a Norwegian healthcare foundation.
The overall cost of the project is projected to reach €2.5 million. This includes €2 million for building the underground complex itself, while an additional €500,000 will be needed for medical equipment, supplies, and armored evacuation vehicles. To date, the foundation has successfully raised around €750,000 and is actively seeking an additional €1.75 million to meet its funding goals.
As the use of drones becomes more prevalent on the battlefield, conventional methods of evacuation have grown increasingly perilous. This development highlights the necessity for protected medical facilities in close proximity to combat zones, underscoring the critical role such an underground hospital could play in safeguarding lives and enhancing the efficiency of medical response efforts.