People walk under heavy snowfall in central Kiev, December 20, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

A five-day-long heavy snowfall caused27 weather-related deaths, the Ukrainian Health Ministry's press service said in a statement on Monday.

"Eleven people froze to death in Donetsk region, three each in Luhansk and Volyn regions, two each in Sumy, Kherson and Cherkasy regions, and one each in Ivano-Frankivsk, Kirovohrad, Rivne and Chernivtsi regions. Seven of them died at home in Donetsk region and one in Ivano-Frankivsk region," said the statement.

A woman passes by a church after heavy snowfall in central Kiev, December 21, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

"A total of 671 people asked for medical aid due to frostbite, and 465 of them have been hospitalized," added the statement.

Severe winter weather slammed Ukraine last Thursday, heavy snowstorms and freezing temperature caused electricity blackouts in 158 cities and villages, blocked more than 7,000 people in traffic jams and forced airlines to delay flights.

The National Meteorology Administration announced that temperatures would start to rise from Wednesday.