Since the beginning of 2026, 22 people have died on the water bodies of Ukraine, including one child, while 15 individuals have been rescued, four of whom are children.
This was reported by Viktor Vitovetskyi, Director of the Department of Civil Protection and Preventive Measures of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine. According to him, the number of victims was significantly higher during the same period last year – 56 people. He stressed that despite the positive trend in statistics, Ukrainians must remain extremely cautious on the water, especially in the winter. \”Unfortunately, most cases of human deaths occur on rivers. The SES units and other services need time to arrive, swim, and rescue. And unfortunately, this time is not always sufficient under conditions of very low temperatures. So I urge everyone to consider our recommendations and let your safety be a priority,\” noted Viktor Vitovetskyi.
Meanwhile, acting General Director of PrJSC Ukrhydroenergo Bohdan Sukhetskyi warned that there is no safe ice in Ukraine. \”There is no such thing as safe ice, it is all dangerous. The ice on reservoirs of HPPs and PSPs is dangerous because these are not natural lakes, but complex technical objects where the water level constantly changes. Due to the operation of hydro units, water undermines the ice from below, making it porous and fragile, even if it appears solid on the surface. The thickness of the ice can be uneven: just a few meters away from a thick section, it can be critically thin. Therefore, people walking or driving vehicles on such ice can result in sudden breakthroughs which pose a real threat to life. This year we observe a growing trend of using frozen reservoirs for mass events. I urge you not to endanger yourselves and the rescuers!\”
Alexander Tumanov, Head of the Underwater Demining and Other Special Works Department of the SES of Ukraine in Kyiv, emphasized that the most effective safety measure is not to go onto the ice without urgent need. \”Think if it is worth it, or if there is an alternative to this leisure. Completely guaranteeing safety to yourself and your relatives is simply impossible. We are in natural conditions. There are climatic and technological factors in play. Therefore, it is impossible to predict how the ice will behave. A person stepping onto the ice is already potentially in danger. It is almost impossible to save oneself on ice. A person is stressed, in panic, demoralized. In icy water. Time is ticking in seconds. This is not a movie! Be consciously aware of your safety and understand the consequences,\” he stated.