Seven people, including a child, have died on Ukraine’s water bodies since the beginning of 2026.
Rescuers urge citizens to follow safety rules, as the ice remains extremely treacherous due to unstable temperatures. According to the spokesperson of the State Emergency Service, Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, the Service’s units managed to save 5 people, but for many, neglecting the rules proved fatal. “Seven people died on water bodies, including a child born in 2013. The ice is currently too fragile—there haven’t been stable frosts yet to ensure safe fishing or walking,” he emphasized during a briefing at the Ukraine Media Center.
He reminded that:
- the safe thickness for one person is 7-10 cm, for a group – 15-20 cm;
- ice strength is checked only with a stick. It is strictly forbidden to strike it with your foot;
- when moving in a group, maintain a distance of 5-6 meters from each other.
It is prohibited to go on ice in the dark, during fog, or thaw. Avoid areas near reeds and warm drains. If you fall through:
- do not panic: spread your arms wide across the edges of the hole;
- get out without sudden movements, crawl onto the ice with your chest while alternately pulling up your legs;
- do not stand up immediately, crawl away from the hole along the same path you came.
Parents! Explain to children the danger of stepping on the ice. Protect lives—in case of emergency, call 101.