May 15, 2022, 05:51am
The Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won the contest early on Sunday as the sentimental favorites easily topped the charts after securing a record number of public votes, in a victory that comes amidst the ongoing battles against the invading Russian forces inside its territory.
Members of the band Kalush Orchestra pose with the winner's trophy and Ukraine's flags.
The Kalush Orchestra's song, "Stefania", scored 192 points from the multinational jury which initially put them in fourth place behind the U.K., Sweden and Spain.
The public vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the Ukrainian singers and they won the competition with 617 points.
In front of a massive global audience, the band's leader, Oleh Psiuk, made an emotional plea to help the fighters trapped in the Azovstal steel plant.
Since its debut in 2003 the country has won the competition three times.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, hailed Kalush Orchestra's victory, saying that their courage impressed the world.
Zelensky said that the event will be held in a rebuilt Mariupol, which is now under Russian control.
Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine won the grand final of the song competition.
The Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine is at the press conference.
Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine won the song contest.
The Kalush Orchestra won the song contest.
Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine is singing during the grand final of the song competition.
The Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine won the song contest.
The Kalush Orchestra is from Ukraine.
MC Kilimmen, Oleh Psiuk, Ihor Didenchuk, Tymofii Muzychuk, Sasha Tab and Vitalii Duzhyk are members of the Kalush Orchestra.
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