Invading Russian forces struck a tank with nitric acid in the town of Rubizhne in Luhansk Oblast early on April 5, with a red cloud of toxic fumes being released into the sky about the town, Luhansk Governor Sergey Haidai reported on Facebook.
The governor advised local residents to refrain from going outside and opening windows.
“Prepare protective face masks by soaking them in soda solution,” Haidai wrote.
“On contact with the eyes, nitric acid causes severe damage with extensive necrosis of the cornea and conjunctiva, leading to vision loss,” he wrote, and posted photos from the scene.
“First aid: if nitric acid gets into the eyes, rinse them under running water for 10-30 minutes. If it gets on the skin, wash the affected area with water, add baking soda and soap,” the governor wrote.