Odesa region, which lies on the shore of the Black Sea, has been hit by severe snowstorms since Sunday, stranding vehicles and downing power lines.

"849 vehicles have been towed out, including 24 buses and 17 ambulances," Kiper wrote on the Telegram app.

He said all those trapped by the snow since the start of the snowstorm had now been rescued.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)