Photo by UkrInform
A unique underground hospital near the front lines has become a reliable shield for medical personnel and soldiers.
The first underground hospital in Ukraine, built by the Metinvest group at a depth of six meters near the front lines, has already saved the lives of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. This unique facility, covering an area of 500 square meters, operates autonomously and includes a laboratory, intensive care unit, operating rooms, rest areas, and even a kitchen. It is invisible from the air, minimizing the risk of enemy strikes. This is reported by the company.
The initiative for its creation came from Roman Kuziv, the commander of the Medical Forces group East of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He realized that, in wartime, surgery must be mobile and protected. The underground hospital withstands even attacks from anti-tank mines and explosives, as confirmed by tests.
"We need to be as close to the front line as possible. Here, every minute counts. Today, the wounded are delivered here in less than half an hour, and immediately sorting and assistance begin," explains Kuziv.
The hospital is equipped with essential tools, including a device the military medics call the "medical javelin" for performing urgent interventions anywhere. The facility can treat up to 200 patients daily.
The medical team consists of surgeons, anesthesiologists, operating nurses, and drivers. They work practically without breaks. Some, like surgeon Oleksandr Holovachenko ("Serhiyovych"), have over 20 years of medical experience. Others, like Snizhana, an anesthesiologist nurse, deliberately left civilian practice to be closer to those who need help the most.
The first hospital was launched in August 2024. The company's investment in this complex amounted to 20 million UAH. Of this, 7 million UAH went towards medical equipment, and 13 million UAH covered the cost of the shelter, internal facilities, and construction work. Two more hospitals are planned to open in May and June, with each one costing between 12-15 million UAH.
This is part of the "Steel Front" initiative, within which the company also manufactures steel bunkers to protect military personnel, protective screens to counter FPV drones, which are installed on armored vehicles, and more. During the three years of the full-scale invasion, Metinvest has directed 8.4 billion UAH to support Ukraine. A significant portion of these funds, 4.4 billion UAH, was allocated to the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces within the framework of the "Steel Front" initiative.
