French Open 2026: Marta Kostyuk Dedicates Victory to Ukraine Amid Russian Strikes Marta Kostyuk, the 15th-seeded Ukrainian player, secured a hard-fought first-round victory at the French Open, defeating Russian-born opponent Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2 6-3. The win came just days after Russian airstrikes targeted Kyiv, where Kostyuk’s family home narrowly avoided damage. Speaking after the match, Kostyuk expressed deep emotional turmoil, dedicating her success to the people of Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict. The attacks, which occurred the night before her match, left four people dead and over 100 injured in Kyiv and surrounding areas. Kostyuk revealed that none of her family or close friends were harmed, but the proximity of the strikes left her shaken. “Most of the morning I felt sick because I thought if it was 100 meters closer, I probably wouldn’t have a mum and a sister today,” she said. The player described the experience as “one of the most difficult matches” of her career, struggling to balance her emotions with the demands of competition. Despite the trauma, Kostyuk chose to remain in the tournament, stating, “Not this morning, because everyone is healthy, alive, and never [needed to go] in the hospital.” She acknowledged that the memory of the attacks lingered during the match, forcing her to confront her fears on the court. “There were obviously times in the match when I would go back to thinking about it,” she admitted. Kostyuk, a vocal critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, has consistently used her platform to support her homeland. During her on-court interview, she addressed the crowd, saying, “I have been crying this morning. I don’t want to talk about myself today. All my heart and all my thoughts go to the people of Ukraine today.#oksana_selekhmeteva #kyiv #martakostyuk #french_open_2026 #russian_airstrikes
Russia launches over 1,000 drones at Ukraine, killing 8 people KYIV — Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces launched more than 1,000 drones over the past two days, striking cities and killing at least eight people while wounding nearly 100. The attacks targeted areas in western Ukraine, far from the front lines, underscoring the ongoing nature of the conflict. The strikes have drawn attention to the fact that Moscow’s military campaign persists despite global focus on the Middle East crisis. Ukrainian authorities confirmed the casualties but provided no further details on the extent of damage or specific locations hit. The use of drones in such numbers highlights the evolving tactics in the war, with Moscow increasingly relying on unmanned systems to conduct strikes. Analysts noted that the attacks may aim to disrupt civilian infrastructure or test the effectiveness of Ukraine’s defenses. The incident has sparked renewed calls for international support, as Ukrainian officials emphasize the need for sustained assistance to counter the escalating threat.#middle_east #russia #ukraine #moscow #kyiv
