Russian troops appear to have hit a nitric acid tank in Ukraine, according to a statement made by Luhansk regional administrator Serhiy Haidai on Telegram.

Footage from April 9 shows a huge plume of pink smoke rising in the Ukrainian city.

Haidai warned that Russian forces hit the tank in Rubizhne, a city in the Luhansk Oblast, and called for residents to remain hidden in bomb shelters.

"Do not come out of hiding! If you are indoors - close the doors and windows!" he wrote on Telegram.

Russian officials said the Ukrainian military was responsible.

The authorities of the LPR blamed the Ukrainian military for this, the Ukrainian authorities blamed Russia.

The head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Sergei Gaidai, recommended that local residents not leave their shelters, close doors and windows, and prepare protective face masks soaked in soda solution.

Non-exclusive