Strike on Odesa, fatalities and dozens injured: All details

Updated

(4:54) The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, reported that 73 people were injured of varying degrees of severity.

(4:40) The Mayor of Odesa, Hennadii Trukhanov, said that among the dead as a result of today's attack was his former first deputy Serhii Tetiukhin.

Oleksandr Hostishchev, the former head of the Odesa region patrol police, was also killed as a result of the Odesa strike, according to Trukhanov, the head of the Odesa district council, Vitalii Barvinenko, and local deputy Andrii Vahapov, reports Suspilne.

(4:37) The US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink called for immediate help to Ukraine to stop Russia after the Odesa attack.

"Again today Russia attacked Odesa, killing innocent civilians and targeting first responders," the ambassador wrote on X.

According to her, this cruel attack underscores that Russia will not stop its brazen aggression in Europe.

(4:19) Death toll rises as a result of today's Russian missile attacks on Odesa. Sixteen victims are already known.

According to Kiper, as of this moment, it is already known about 16 dead. A total of 55 Odesa residents were sent to hospitals.

"10 of them are in serious conditions," the head of administration added.

(3:18) Russian troops fired Iskander-M missiles from the occupied Crimea, Southern Defense Forces inform.

As a result of the rocket attack on the civil infrastructure of the city, a three-story building of a recreational facility was destroyed, at least 10 private houses, as well as a service station, a low-pressure gas pipeline, ambulances, and fire-rescue vehicles were damaged.

Firefighters extinguished the fire. Clearing of the debris is ongoing.

(3:11) The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (parliament) reacted.

"Odesa. In broad daylight, cynical Russian terrorists launched a missile strike on the city. There are casualties and fatalities. My sincere condolences to the families and loved ones. Civil infrastructure has been affected. Ukraine shudders every day over Russian terror. People are dying because of Russian evil. Innocent people. This ru evil must be defeated. There must be no delays in supporting Ukraine. Not for a moment," wrote Ruslan Stefanchuk.

(2:35) Odesa Mayor, Hennadii Trukhanov, published a video from the hospital where the victims of the attack are staying.

Meanwhile, local media report that today's shelling became the largest in terms of the number of victims in Odesa since the beginning of the full-scale war.

(2:31) Five rescuers are staying at hospitals, some of them are in serious condition, says Maryna Averina, spokeswoman for the Main Department of the State Emergency Service in the Odesa region. According to her, residential buildings in particular came under enemy attack. One of them caught fire in an area of 120 square meters.

(2:16) The Office of the President of Ukraine reacted to a missile attack on Odesa

"The Russian terror in Odesa is a sign of the weakness of the enemy, which is fighting against Ukrainian civilians at a time when it cannot guarantee the safety of people on its own territory. The regime of terrorism and terrorist..." wrote the head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak.

(2:12) There are already 46 wounded and 14 dead in Odesa.

Oleh Kiper, the head of Odesa RSA, reported that 14 people, including local residents, a medic, and a rescuer, were killed as a result of the Russian missile attack.

Another 46 people, including seven employees of the State Emergency Service, were injured.

All relevant services eliminate the consequences of an enemy attack. Mourning will be announced tomorrow in Odesa and the region.

(1:57) The Ministry of Health reports over 30 injured.

(1:50 pm Kyiv time) The number of fatalities has risen to 8, including an Emergency Service worker and a paramedic. Over 20 people sustained injuries, as reported by the Prosecutor General's Office.

Photo: The number of casualties in Odesa has risen to 8 (t.me/pgo_gov_ua)

How Russians attacked and what they used

An air raid alert was announced in Odesa and the region at 11:01 am Kyiv time. Almost immediately, residents of the regional center heard the first explosion around 11:03. By 11:04, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine warned of a rocket coming towards Odesa. Shortly after, a secondary explosion occurred.

Monitoring channels report that during the attack, Russian troops used ballistic missiles allegedly launched from the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Later, the Air Force warned of the enemy's threat to use ballistic weapons, but from the east.

Consequences of the attack

After a series of explosions in Odesa, local Telegram channels began reporting on the hitting in the city, allegedly on a residential building. Public sources also mentioned dozens of injured.

The first official comment of the authorities appeared at 12:03. Head of the Odesa Regional State Administration Oleh Kiper wrote on Telegram that there were casualties as a result of the Russian missile attack on Odesa. All relevant services are on-site providing assistance.

Later, he reported that as a result of the Russian missile attack, a paramedic and an Emergency Service worker were killed while assisting at the scene after the initial explosion.

"Among the medics and rescuers, there are also severely wounded people. The total number of casualties is being clarified, and everyone is receiving necessary medical assistance," Kiper informed.

In turn, the director of the Department of Education and Science of the Odesa City Council, Olena Buinevych, provided information on the situation in educational institutions.

"Everything is okay with the children in educational institutions. Holding on," she wrote on Facebook.

Emergency Service reported dozens of injured

According to the Emergency Service, as a result of the Russian missile strike on the city, civilian infrastructure was damaged, and a fire broke out at the impact site.

"Emergency Service rescuers immediately arrived at the strike site and began firefighting, debris removal, and search for casualties. During the operations, the enemy launched a second missile strike, resulting in the death of a rescuer," the statement said.

According to preliminary information, 20 people were injured, including 5 Emergency Service employees. Necessary assistance is being provided to all casualties.

The strike also damaged 10 private houses, a technical maintenance station, a low-pressure gas pipeline, and 2 fire and rescue vehicles.

Efforts are currently underway to extinguish the gas pipeline fire and a private house covering an area of about 120 square meters.

50 rescuers and 8 Emergency Service vehicles are working at the scene.

Photos of the aftermath

Photo: Consequences of the attack on Odesa on March 15 (t.me/dsns_telegram)

Shelling of Odesa

Recently, Russian forces attempted to attack Odesa with a guided aviation missile, releasing the target from an aircraft of tactical aviation, but the air defense forces managed to destroy the missile over the sea.

Additionally, the occupiers previously struck Odesa during the visit of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He was meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

At that time, a Russian rocket exploded 300-400 meters away from the President of Ukraine and the Greek Prime Minister.

As stated by local authorities, people died and were injured as a result of this attack on Odesa.