Kyiv, July 2 (SANA)The death toll fromRussian airstrikeson the Ukrainian capital,Kyiv, early on Thursday has risen to 17, while rescue operations remain underway, Ukrainian authorities said.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said in a post on Telegram that emergency crews were continuing search and rescue efforts at the site of the strikes.

Earlier in the day, the head of Kyiv’s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, had reported eight deaths and accusedRussiaof deliberately targeting residential areas and civilians.

The latest strikes come amid intensified fighting between Russia and Ukraine. In recent weeks, Kyiv has stepped up long-rangedrone attackstargeting energy infrastructure and military facilities inside Russian territory, while Moscow has continued its aerial campaign against Ukrainian cities.