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The Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision with their
entry "Stefania", surfing a wave of public support to claim an
emotional victory that was welcomed by the country's president.
"With all my soul, all my love, I love my Kalush. My wife and I
have been watching until 1 a.m. And we were happy to win. I was
jumping. I was in seventh heaven," said Petro Yugan, a
74-year-old resident of Kalush.
"But I also want us to end the war as fast as possible, and it
would be an even bigger victory."
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, now in its third month, has
claimed thousands of civilian lives, sent millions of Ukrainians
fleeing and reduced cities to rubble.
Moscow calls its actions a "special military operation" to
disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the
West say the fascist allegation is baseless and that the war is
an unprovoked act of aggression.
Over the weekend, Russia pummeled positions in the east of
Ukraine on Sunday, seeking to encircle Ukrainian forces in the
battle for Donbas.
In the Eurovision contest, Ukraine was in fourth place based on
jury voting but claimed victory with a record tally in viewer
voting in an event that features 40 nations.
"I had no doubt that they would win," Andriy Pashyn, 28, said.
(Writing in Melbourne by Lidia Kelly; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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