The Citadel is a modular steel underground shelter system that can be installed in various configurations to protect people from shelling in civilian facilities, schools and hospitals.
“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 Chief Operating Officer of Metinvest Group, Oleksandr Myronenko.
The Citadel has been designed with specific environmental conditions in mind. The shelter consists of cylindrical steel structures with a diameter of 2.4 metres, installed underground at a depth of up to 5 metres in courtyards or adjacent to buildings. The shelter installed in Borodianka is designed to comfortably accommodate 48 people and is equipped with two protected exits, sanitation facilities, and autonomous sources of 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, the head of the Agency for Restoration and Development.
The modular and versatile design of the Citadel allows it to be adapted to a wide range of conditions and sites — including schools, hospitals, industrial facilities, residential areas and frontline communities. The sealed steel sections can be easily combined into larger units, and installation takes only a few days. The shelters can serve as both temporary and long-term solutions.