Ukraine's Ternopil records sixfold air pollution spike after Russian strike

Air pollution levels in Ternopil exceeded the norm sixfold after Russia’s November 19 attack, prompting local authorities to warn of a serious environmental hazard and urge residents to remain indoors.

According to the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, concentrations of toxic substances have significantly surpassed permissible levels, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

Residents are advised to avoid going outside unless necessary, keep windows closed and follow safety precautions.

Ukraine comes under a massive Russian attack overnight on November 19, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reporting that Moscow launched more than 470 drones and 48 missiles of various types.

The strikes hit the Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Latest reports indicate that the death toll has reached twenty, with dozens injured. Numerous residential buildings have been destroyed, people may still be trapped under the rubble, and search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing.

Experts remind the public of key safety measures during chemical air contamination: avoid spending time outdoors, tightly seal windows and ventilation openings, hang wet sheets or cloth over windows and drink plenty of water.

Possible symptoms of chlorine exposure include eye irritation, throat burning and dryness, hoarseness, low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.

The situation in the city remains tense, and emergency services continue to operate in reinforced mode.

By Jeyhun Aghazada