A significant strike by Russian forces on the night of November 12 and 13, 2026, caused substantial damage to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics in Kyiv. The facility, which is part of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, sustained structural injuries that required immediate emergency response from local authorities and hospital staff.
Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, confirmed that a fire broke out on the premises following the impact. He reported that the first floor of the building was partially destroyed. Liashko emphasized the critical nature of the institution, describing it as a leading center where patients suffering from complex injuries and musculoskeletal disorders receive specialized care. The institute is known for performing reconstructive surgeries on limbs and the spine following severe trauma.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, specifically the Kyiv branch, coordinated the evacuation efforts at the scene. According to their reports, the medical facility's staff successfully moved 30 people to a safe location. Firefighters additionally rescued seven individuals from the building. The fire that erupted after the strike was eventually extinguished, securing the site for further inspection.
Three patients were injured during the attack. All three received the necessary medical assistance immediately. To ensure continuity of care and safety, some of the affected patients were transferred to other wards within the medical system.
Following the initial emergency response, experts were dispatched to the site to inspect the extent of the structural damage. A comprehensive assessment is currently underway to determine the full scope of the destruction. Once the evaluation is complete, the specific resources required to fully restore the institute’s operations will be identified. The government has indicated that it will finance the necessary repairs based on this assessment.
Mariia, a specialist working at the institute, provided additional details about the condition of the building on social media. She noted that the severity of the damage resulted in many offices being left without windows. In the immediate aftermath, volunteers assisted in collecting the broken glass from the floors. Staff members, including traumatologists, worked to cover the window openings with plastic film to protect the interior from the elements.
This incident marks a recent addition to a series of attacks on Kyiv’s medical infrastructure. On October 26, during another Russian strike on the capital, an ambulance crew came under fire. The resulting blast wave shattered the windows of the emergency vehicle, injuring both the paramedic and the driver. That incident highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of medical transport and facilities in the city.
The damage to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics underscores the continued pressure on Ukraine’s healthcare system. As the assessment of the damage concludes, officials will focus on the logistics of restoration to ensure that the leading trauma center can resume its full capacity of treating patients with severe musculoskeletal issues.
The response involved a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Health, the State Emergency Service, and the institute’s own staff. The successful evacuation of dozens of patients and the quick extinguishing of the fire helped prevent further casualties. The focus now shifts to the long-term repair process, which will be determined by the expert evaluation of the building’s integrity.
