Just to follow up… I did manage to update my iPod Touch OTA but while it was connected with the older versions of iTunes (12.4.3) and it worked!
I'm also in the process of doing my iPad Air 2.
I'm also in the process of doing my iPad Air 2.
Yes it seems that way ☹️
Is it wise and safe now to just upgrade from OTA or will I still need to connect with iTunes 12.5 at some point?