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The British ambassador to Ukraine said Ukraine was under fire from Russian missiles on Saturday when the Eurovision Song Contest took place, including the hometown of Ukrainian act Tvorchi’s university.
“Meanwhile, tonight at Eurovision Ukraine is under another Russian missile attack,” Dame Melinda Simmons tweeted.
“Remember that the reason why (Ukraine) couldn’t host this event is because (Russia) continues to invade and the people of (Ukraine) live in continuous danger.”
Ukrainian authorities said the missiles hit Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine several hundred miles from the Russian invasion front line.
Ternopil Oblast Governor Volodymyr Trush reported that warehouses belonging to commercial companies and a religious organization caught fire. He said two civilians were in the hospital with shrapnel wounds and burns as a result of the attack.
The governor wrote on Telegram: “I ask all residents of Ternopil Oblast not to be near the fire site under any circumstances. I remind you: the curfew continues!”
Serhii Nadal, the mayor of Ternopil, asked residents to stay in a safe place until the air raid alert ceases.
Praising the Ukrainian entrants in the singing contest, Dame Melinda said, “Tvorchi (definitely) wins the graphics award. The staging was brilliant.
“And touching because his university hometown of Ternopil was hit by (Russian) missiles this eve.”
The electronic duo, made up of producer Andrii Hutsuliak and Nigerian-bred vocalist Jeffery Kenny, are hoping to defend the title after Kalush Orchestra was victorious last year thanks to a wave of public support.
Ukraine entrant Tvorchi entertains the crowd (Aaron Chown/PA)
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His song Heart Of Steel, inspired by the bravery of the Ukrainian people, drew applause from the audience at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool after it featured lyrics in English and Ukrainian.
At the end of their performance, the pair raised their fists in the air as acts from other nations were also seen waving the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine.
Jeffrey Kenny and Andrii Hutsuliak, members of the Tvorchi duo, pose for a portrait at the Ukrainian Central Railway Station on April 28, 2023 in kyiv, Ukraine.
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Bookmakers have predicted that Tvorchi will perform well with the voting public, but he faces stiff competition from favorites Sweden and Finland.
This year’s competition marks the first time the UK has hosted a final in 25 years. It was decided that Liverpool would host after the 2022 winning country Ukraine said it would be unable to do so due to the ongoing invasion by Russia.
