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Ukraine’s freshly minted French Open semi-finalist Marta Kostyuk ripped into Russian tennis opponents as having made clear “whose side they are on” by their silence after Kyiv and other cities endured a night of drone and missile attacks that killed at least 23 people. “I want to start with this historical match that we played today with Elina [Svitolina],” said Kostyuk after defeating her compatriot. “We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially Kyiv. So many people dead. I want to give this match to Ukrainian people and to their resilience … With everything that’s happening, for me being here is a real blessing, and I don’t think about winning. I’m here to represent Ukraine and to enjoy.”
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Kostyuk was asked about Russian rivals including Diana Shnaider and her upcoming semi-final opponent, Mirra Andreeva, who have previously said they focus only on the tennis ball and avoid political discussion. “They are all grownups. They know what they’re talking about. They know what’s going on. They have phones. They have Instagram. They have news,” Kostyuk said. “I wish there was some more clear stance on what’s going on, especially when your country is killing other people.”
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Kostyuk praised Daria Kasatkina, who switched her allegiance from Russia to Australia, as an example of someone who had publicly spoken out despite pressure on her family. “I don’t think she lives in Russia anyways, but the majority of players don’t live in Russia,” Kostyuk said. “There is nothing that’s stopping you if this is something you don’t believe in … I know some people who have left Russia the moment the war began, who sold all their business, who left everything behind because they just don’t agree with what their country is doing to other people.” Kostyuk said representing Ukraine had become more important than results.
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The deadly attacks on Ukraine on Tuesday demonstrate how Russia is able to exploit a global shortage of air defence interceptor missiles, Peter Beaumont writes. The MIM-104 Patriot has been widely relied on by US allies – not least in the Gulf, as well as by Ukraine. The US-Israeli campaign against Iran, in addition to Ukraine, has triggered a scramble for the dwindling supply of interceptor missiles. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has repeated his plea to the US for more stocks of interceptors.
