Ukraine has won the 66th Eurovision song contest, which was held on Saturday evening in Turin in Italy.
Performing their folk-rap song Stefania, Kalush Orchestra stormed up the leader board, beating off strong competition from the UK and Italy.
The UK’s Sam Ryder took second place – the first time the UK has placed in the top three at the Eurovision Song Contest in 20 years.
“Please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal right now,” lead singer Oleh Psiuk shouted from the front of the stage after the band had performed.
After the jury scores were tabulated, the United Kingdom were leading the pack with 283 points, with Sweden and Spain close behind with 258 and 231 points, but as we all know, that’s only half of the story.
After a tension-packed public vote announcement, it was revealed that Ukraine claimed top marks with the public from throughout Europe and Australia with 439 points.
With those numbers aggregated, Ukraine claimed the win with 631 overall points.
This is the nation’s third win, following victories in 2004 and 2016.
President Zelensky has congratulated Kalush Orchestra on their win for Ukraine.
“Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe,” he wrote on Telegram.
“We will do our best to one day host the participants and guests of Eurovision in Ukrainian Mariupol. Free, peaceful, rebuilt,” he added.
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