Tatyana Loskutnikova, a nail artist, was savaged by a pack of 10 dogs as she walked through Ulan-Ude city, in far eastern Siberia, on the morning of December 23.
The animals ripped her clothes off in -22C (-7.6F) temperatures, bit her down to the bone, and chewed all the skin off her face before locals came rushing to help.
Alexandra Andreevna, who was the first to arrive on the scene, used a stick to beat the animals back while banging on a fence to alert others who also came to help.
One of the dogs attacked a policeman who joined the rescue party, before being shot dead by the officer.
When the rescuers were finally able to get to Loskutnikova, they found her face was 'damaged beyond recognition' with even her eyelids removed.
She was rushed to hospital in critical condition, and is now in intensive care - hooked up to a lung ventilator and in a medically-induced coma.
Police have since shot ten stray dogs they believe caused her injuries.
Checks are underway to establish if the animals were infected with rabies.
'The woman has shreds of flesh all over her body,' a hospital spokesman said. 'And only her eyes remained on the face'.
Dr Igor Shpak, head physician of the Republican Clinical Hospital, said: 'The victim is in intensive care after anti-shock therapy.
'Surgeons, neurosurgeons, traumatologists, otolaryngologists, and maxillofacial surgeons are all fighting for her life.
'The patient was delivered to us in an extremely serious condition, suffering hemorrhagic and painful shock.'
She had 'multiple lacerated and bitten wounds on the face, body, and limbs.
'The percentage of damage is extremely high. Her blood pressure is extremely low.'
A statement from her brother Vladislav posted: 'On December 23, on the way to the clinic, my sister Tatyana was attacked by a pack of dogs.
'As a result, she was taken in an EXTREMELY SEVERE CONDITION to the intensive care unit…
'The bites were deep, to the bone, the soft tissues of her face damaged beyond recognition.
'Tanya. (Tatyana) is a young and promising girl, she is only 20 years old.'
A police officer shot one of the violent dogs dead soon after the animal attacked him. The others were killed later.
A preliminary criminal investigation has been opened.
