Ukraine Builds Underground Steel Refuges to Safeguard Troops

In the face of relentless Russian aerial assaults, Ukraine has begun constructing steel hideouts deep beneath the ground. These sturdy structures, some already housing troops, give fighters a secure shelter close to the frontline. Steel giant Metinvest has been instrumental in this effort, producing around 600 steel barrels. These barrels serve as both individual hideouts and bases, or "command posts, " offering safety and practical spaces for troops.The project falls under businessman Rinat Akhmetov's “Steel Front” initiative, which is also providing steel shields for Ukrainian Abrams tanks and other Western-donated vehicles. The barrels have been installed near key areas like Pokrovsk, Luhansk, and Kherson, blending into the landscape for camouflage. Despite their resilience, these underground sanctuaries are most vulnerable during construction.