A Dutch foundation has unveiled plans to construct what is set to become Ukraine’s largest underground hospital near the front lines of conflict, aimed at offering critical emergency care while safeguarding patients and medical staff from drone and artillery threats. The hospital will span roughly 600 square meters and be situated about 8 meters below ground level. Its reinforced-concrete structure is specifically designed to endure intense attacks, providing a secure environment for treatment.
Equipped with six operating rooms, the facility is intended for urgent trauma care, including surgeries for shrapnel wounds and blood transfusions. Unlike a traditional hospital, this underground center will function as a stabilization point, where severely injured soldiers can receive immediate surgical care before being transferred to hospitals located further from the combat zones.
The exact site of this facility remains undisclosed for security purposes. However, initial construction efforts are already in progress, with the hospital slated to open its doors in February 2027. The initiative was proposed by Ukraine’s Military Medical Service and is being implemented with assistance from a Norwegian healthcare foundation. The cost for building the underground complex is estimated at €2 million, with an additional €500,000 needed for medical equipment, supplies, and armored evacuation vehicles.
In total, the project is projected to cost €2.5 million. To date, around €750,000 has been raised, leaving the organizers seeking an additional €1.75 million to meet the financial requirements. Project leaders highlight that the prevalent use of drones in the battlefield has made traditional evacuation methods increasingly perilous, underscoring the necessity for secure medical facilities in proximity to conflict areas.