A policewoman has died after contracting a contagious disease when a thug spat in her face during an arrest.

Arina Koltsova, from Kiev, Ukraine, was arresting a suspect on New Year's Day - unaware that he was suffering from tuberculosis (TB). While carrying out her duties she was spat on by the man.

The 35-year-old remained untreated for some time, before she collapsed at work one day.

Arina Koltsova (left and right), from Kiev, Ukraine, was arresting a suspect on New Year's Day - unaware that he was suffering from tuberculosis (TB). While carrying out her duties she was spat on by the man

She was later diagnosed with the infectious lung disease and was forced into treatment

She was later diagnosed with the infectious lung disease and was forced into treatment.

Her on-duty partner, Officer Mikhail Kindrakevich, wrote: 'She became ill after New Year's Day. She had arrested this guy and he spat in her face. Some time later she collapsed.

'She had received treatment. She underwent chemotherapy, she was fed food through an IV drip and she had lost a lot of weight.'

The chemotherapy, often used to treat acute cases of tuberculosis, weakened Ms Koltsova and caused her to become severely undernourished.

A recent selfie shows her gaunt face and the short hair that she had towards the end of her life.

Ms Koltsova died on Monday and was buried in Kiev two days later.

Tributes flooded in for the 'irreplaceable' woman. She was well-known in the Ukrainian capital after pictures of her good looks started circulating on social media

The chemotherapy, often used to treat acute cases of tuberculosis, weakened Ms Koltsova and caused her to become severely undernourished

Tributes flooded in for the 'irreplaceable' woman. She was well-known in the Ukrainian capital after pictures of her good looks started circulating on social media.

One of her unnamed friends said: 'Arina wanted to change something for our country. Joining the police was a conscious choice, she wanted to change things for better.'

Her police department wrote on their social media page: 'This is an irreplaceable loss for the whole of Kiev police, fond memories of Arina will remain in our hearts forever.'