The architectural design of the Soviet-era metro system is, ironically, what makes it so effective as a shelter. Many of Kyiv's central stations are among the deepest in the world, with some platforms lying over 100 meters beneath the surface. This extreme depth, achieved by necessity due to Kyiv's complex geology and the Dnieper River, now provides a formidable protective layer against all but the most powerful, direct impacts. The thick concrete and steel casings of the tunnels and stations offer a physical barrier that above-ground structures simply cannot match, turning these public spaces into bastions of resilience.
