A new type of underground shelter for civilians, named the “Citadel,” has been unveiled in Borodianka, Kyiv region. Developed by Metinvest Group in collaboration with the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine and supported by the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories, the shelter aims to provide reliable protection against shelling and other wartime threats. The Citadel concept was first introduced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome during the summer of 2025.
The Citadel is a modular steel bunker system that can be adapted for deployment in schools, hospitals, residential areas, and other civilian sites. Its flexible design allows for rapid installation in a variety of configurations to meet local needs.
“We at Metinvest already have significant experience in producing and deploying steel underground shelters — Kryivkas for defence lines and drone operators, underground field hospitals and command posts, all of which have proven effective in combat conditions. More than 800 such bunkers have already been built across the country. We are now scaling these solutions to protect civilians. This is a path toward safeguarding our future — an investment in safety and in recovery — because it is our responsibility as Metinvest Group. This is the principled stance of our shareholder, Rinat Akhmetov, and it is fundamental to our business,” said Oleksandr Myronenko, Chief Operating Officer of Metinvest Group.
The Borodianka Citadel is designed with environmental and safety considerations in mind. Cylindrical steel units, each 2.4 metres in diameter, are installed underground at depths of up to five metres, either in courtyards or adjacent to buildings. The facility can accommodate 48 people and includes two secure exits, sanitation facilities, and independent systems for power, water, heating, and ventilation.
“Safe, modern shelters for civilians are a vital necessity for Ukraine in wartime. Ukrainians must have reliable protection. Citadel is precisely such a solution: fast, effective and compliant with current safety standards. It can be deployed across the entire country,” emphasised Serhii Sukhomlyn, head of the Agency for Restoration and Development.
The modular construction of the Citadel allows multiple units to be linked together, creating larger shelters when needed. Installation takes only a few days, making the system suitable for both temporary and long-term protection. Its versatility ensures that it can be adapted to a wide variety of locations, including frontline communities, industrial facilities, and educational institutions.
