Commencing next week, the cold temperatures will diminish in Ukraine, causing the ice on bodies of water to turn increasingly hazardous. Since the commencement of 2026, there have been 13 fatalities on the water, including one minor.
In Ukraine, the termination of frosty conditions is anticipated next week, and concurrently, the ice on open water is poised to grow even more precarious. Citizens are being alerted to the risks associated with water bodies during this timeframe. Vladyslav Bagniuk, a representative from the Civil Protection and Preventive Measures Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, communicated this on a televised broadcast, UNN details.
Details
According to the representative of the State Emergency Service, there have been 13 lives lost on the water since the start of 2026, which includes a single child. This figure is approximately three times greater than the previous year, which recorded 4 deaths due to icy conditions.
During the early part of the year, rescue personnel successfully saved 10 individuals, among them 3 children. In contrast, 18 individuals were rescued from ice-related incidents during the same period last year, including 7 children.
– said Bagniuk.
He also noted that venturing onto the ice during this period is ill-advised, given that prolonged above-freezing temperatures lead to alterations in the ice’s composition, causing it to become increasingly frail.
In terms of natural water sources, it’s crucial to avoid areas with swift currents. Furthermore, locations with reeds or frozen shrubbery typically have the thinnest ice. Therefore, entering such bodies of water in these spots is not recommended. Regarding how many people can be on the ice, if a single person is venturing out, it is vital to ensure the ice is at least 7 centimeters thick. Additionally, if a group plans to be on the ice, it is important to prevent multiple people from congregating at a single point. A separation of approximately 5-6 meters between individuals is advisable to prevent accidents.
– said a representative of the State Emergency Service.