Key points:
- Over 1,100 Ukrainians sought emergency medical assistance for frostbite and hypothermia in a month
- 1,016 people were hospitalized, with the highest number of cases recorded on January 18
- Emergency medical services handled over 544,000 calls
- Signs of hypothermia and frostbite, as well as rules for first aid
Between December 20, 2025, and January 18, 2026, emergency medical services in Ukraine recorded 1,103 calls due to frostbite and hypothermia. Of these, 1,016 people were hospitalized, with the highest number of hospitalizations occurring on January 18 — 85 cases. The situation remains under control, but the risk of exacerbation increases if temperatures drop or weather conditions worsen.
During this period, emergency services handled 544,404 calls, and crews made 364,849 visits. The average number of calls to the emergency services was over 18,000 per day.
Hypothermia occurs when a person stays in the cold or in a cold room for a long time, does not have warm enough clothing, or is wet or damp. Signs of hypothermia include pale, cold skin, shivering, slow breathing, and slurred speech. In children, hypothermia can manifest as drowsiness, silence, and refusal to eat.
Frostbite is local damage to the skin caused by exposure to low temperatures, most often affecting the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, and fingers and toes. Symptoms include gray-yellow or waxy-white skin color, numbness, and loss of sensation. In case of frostbite, do not rub the affected areas with snow or heat them in hot water.
In case of cold injury, it is important to first ensure the safety of the victim and those around them. The person should be moved to a warm room, call 103 or 112, remove wet clothing and jewelry, cover with a blanket, and give warm non-alcoholic drinks if they are conscious. Dry gauze bandages can be applied to the affected areas, but alcohol-based products should not be used. If the condition worsens, call the medics again, and if the person loses consciousness and shows no signs of life, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation until the ambulance arrives.
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