**Ukrainian Tennis Star Elina Svitolina Wins 1st Title in 2 Years**
In a thrilling victory, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has won her first title in nearly two years at the WTA 250 Open Capfinances Rouen Metropole. The celebrated athlete from Odesa defeated Serbian tennis player Olga Danilova 6-4, 7-6(8) in a closely contested match that lasted one hour and 58 minutes.
This win marks Svitolina’s 18th WTA title overall and her first since May 2023. The Ukrainian athlete entered the tournament as the top-seeded player and did not lose a single set throughout the competition. Her last title was won just under two months after she returned from maternity leave, where she defeated Russian opponent Anna Blinkova.
Svitolina’s victory is a significant achievement for her both on and off the tennis court. As an ambassador for Bring Kids Back UA, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s initiative to return Ukrainian children forcibly deported by Russia, Svitolina has used her platform to advocate for human rights and international justice.
**Ukraine Continues to Face Challenges as Russia Ignites Easter Truce**
However, the news from Ukraine is not all positive. As Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire on the Easter weekend, ordering a halt to all military action from 6 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 until midnight on April 21, tensions remain high.
Despite the truce, deadly attacks have reportedly occurred after Russia’s alleged Easter ceasefire was supposed to come into effect. The Armed Forces of Ukraine has observed an increase in Russian shelling and the use of kamikaze drones since 10 a.m., with the use of FPV drones “doubling,” according to Zelensky.
The Ukrainian president has lauded his country’s resilience, compassion, and humanity in his Easter address on April 20. He highlighted that Ukraine’s faith has not faded over 1,152 days of full-scale war, with at least 67 Ukrainian priests, pastors, and monks killed or tortured by Russian forces, and 640 religious sites destroyed since the start of the invasion.
**The World Weighs in on Russia-Ukraine Conflict**
As international leaders react to Putin’s Easter truce, many have expressed skepticism about its sincerity. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky compared it to going on a hunger strike between breakfast and lunch while secretly eating candy. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, has urged the Russian regime to cease fire.
The conflict in Ukraine continues to take its toll on civilians and soldiers alike. As the world waits for a peaceful resolution, one thing is clear: this is far from over.
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