Kyiv, July 2 (SANA)Russian missileand drone strikes onUkraine‘s capital early on Thursday killed at least eight people and triggered fires across the city, Ukrainian authorities said, asMoscowandKyivcontinue to escalate attacks more than four years into the war.

Kyiv Military Administration chief Tymur Tkachenko said the death toll from the overnight attack had risen to eight, accusing Russia of deliberately targeting residential areas and civilians.

AFP reporters in Kyiv said a series of explosions rocked the city after Ukraine’s air force warned that several missiles were approaching the capital. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city was under attack by ballistic missiles and drones, with explosions heard across multiple districts.

A fire broke out in central Kyiv late on Wednesday following an explosion that coincided with the sounding of air raid sirens, according to an AFP journalist. Firefighters and ambulances were dispatched to the scene, while residents were seen carrying sleeping mats and bedding as they headed to bomb shelters.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskysaid he would cut short a visit to Dublin and return to Ukraine after receiving intelligence reports indicating that Russia was preparing a “major attack.” The latest assault comes amid intensified fighting between the two sides, with Ukraine stepping up long-range drone attacks in recent weeks on energy infrastructure