Second NATO-Grade Underground Hospital by «Steel Front» Saves Lives on the Frontline
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
The hospital is situated closer to the line of contact, ensuring faster access to qualified medical care. It consists of four steel “shelter” modules manufactured by Metinvest, which include an operating block, a stabilization block, a workspace, and a rest area for medical personnel.
The total area covers 350 square meters. The facility is equipped with essential life-support systems: water supply, electricity, ventilation, sewage, and backup power. Medical equipment – including infusion pumps, X-ray machines, and defibrillators – has been provided at the army’s expense. The hospital can perform up to three surgeries simultaneously, with a team of 20 medics ensuring the treatment and stabilization of wounded soldiers.
“Based on recommendations and coordination with the Medical Forces, the hospital was designed under a new project that made it possible to optimize installation timelines and the arrangement of the underground facilities, while implementing additional camouflage measures for main and evacuation exits – which was crucial for the safety of medics and soldiers in the critical proximity to the frontline. Thanks to our expertise in constructing functional modular underground facilities, we managed to rationalize the space without losing its functionality and efficiency. The stabilization point is already operational and saving the lives of Ukrainian defenders – and that is the most important thing”, said Metinvest Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Oleksandr Myronenko.
The experience gained from the first underground hospital, which saved more than 6,000 lives over the past year, made it possible to improve the structure.
“The first underground hospital built by Metinvest proved to be highly effective: within a year, combat medics saved over 6,000 lives. But we are constantly searching for a universal stabilization point model that can be implemented anywhere along the frontline’s medical evacuation routes. Now we have realized an optimal concept with the second underground hospital, which can accommodate patients with injuries of varying severity. This is a a vital support for the Medical Forces of Ukraine, and we are grateful to Metinvest for its systemic partnership and the flexible solutions the company continues to implement”, said Lieutenant Colonel of the Medical Service, Roman Kuziv.
The first underground hospital, also constructed by Metinvest in cooperation with the Medical Forces, became operational in September 2024.
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