Odesa was struck by a ballistic missile, which, according to preliminary data, was equipped with a cluster munition, the head of the regional military administration, Oleh Kiper, said.
"The Russians fired a ballistic missile, preliminarily equipped with a cluster munition, at one of the most popular locations among Odesa residents and visitors, where people were walking their children, dogs, playing sports... Such munitions are used to hit manpower and pose a threat primarily to people, not to equipment and buildings," he wrote in a telegram.
Kiper said that, according to the latest data, four people were killed, and a dog was also killed. Another person died of a stroke provoked by the Russian attack.
"32 people are wounded, 25 are in hospitals, including two children and a pregnant woman. The girl, who is not yet five years old, is in extremely serious condition. Six other adults are also in intensive care. Our doctors are doing everything possible and impossible," added the head of the OVA.
It was also reported that former MP and rector of the Odesa Law Academy Serhiy Kivalov was among the victims.
According to Ukrainian media, he sustained shrapnel wounds and was hospitalised. It is noted that the missile fell near his house, and the house partially burned down.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the shelling of Odesa: "My condolences to the families and friends. There are many wounded – everyone is being helped now. Local services and rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine responded immediately. It is important that all services, all our people, whose work affects the lives of Ukrainians, are as efficient and quick as possible," he said in his evening video address.