Russia time missile attack on Ukraine Eurovision's act hometown minutes before their performance

A Russian missile attack on Ukraine was timed to coincide with the nation's Eurovision performance, according to Dame Melinda Simmons, the British Ambassador to Ukraine.

Simmons said the attack came just minutes before Ukraine's act performed in Liverpool, England, saying Ternopil - the university hometown of Ukraine's Eurovision 2023 act Tvorchi - was among locations targeted.

She tweeted: "Meanwhile, this #Eurovision night Ukraine is under another Russian missile attack. Reminder that the reason why Ukraine could not host this event is because Russia continues to invade and the people of Ukraine live in continuing danger."

Twitter

Praising Ukraine’s entrants in the song contest, Simmons added: "Tvorchi def win the prize for graphics. The staging was brilliant. And poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by missiles this eve."

Tvorchi performed 'Heart of Steel' at the Eurovision final tonight (Saturday 13 May) in this year's host city of Liverpool, England.

As the electronic duo took to the stage, members of the audience waved Ukrainian flags in support for the war-torn nation.

BBC

Last year’s contest was won by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, who were crowned victors having amassed 631 points from both public and jury votes.

However, due to the ongoing war against Russia in the country, organisers decided it was too risky to host it there for 2023 – as is customary for winning nations – meaning duties fell to the UK, which ended as runner-up.

Members of Kalush Orchestra were actually fighting on the frontline in the Ukraine war before being given special permission to compete in Eurovision.

After their big win, they told Eurovision TV: "We feel a big responsibility, since we received permits to leave Ukraine to be here.

“We have a duty to be useful to our country at this moment. We didn't have any opportunity to rehearse together for a long time, but now, we've gone into 'extra mode'.

"We're all very hard working, and we're all doing what we can to make this happen. We've enjoyed seeing people singing our song, even if they didn't know all the words. We really appreciate seeing people supporting Ukraine, and supporting us."