A cold spell covering the Ukraine has killed 83 people already this year putting the death toll in reach of surpassing all of last year’s deaths.  One hundred people died during last winter in total.

Temperatures as low as -10F and heavy snowfall have left Kiev and other areas under frozen blankets of snow and ice.  Meteorologists are reporting that the temperatures could fall even lower and raise the death toll.

A senior health official says most of the dead were found on the streets and that over 500 are in hospitals being treated for various levels of frostbite.  Over 100 towns across the region are without electricity leaving many families without heat for their home.

The army is attempting to clear roadways and restore power.  The army is also opening up “heating shelters” for people to come and warm up.