Death toll rises to 21 in Russia's missile strike on Odesa, dozens injured

At least 73 others were injured in the attack, including first responders and police officers. The number of wounded had previously been reported at 70.

Klymenko announced the updated death toll on March 16, after another person succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

Local reports identified prominent figures among the dead, including Odesa's former deputy mayor Serhii Tetiukhin and police special forces battalion commander Oleksandr Hostishchev.

Rescue efforts were tragically hampered when Russian forces launched a follow-up strike on the impact site, targeting emergency personnel.

The missiles used in the attack were Iskander-M ballistic missiles fired from Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukrainian officials confirmed. (ILKHA)