Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, a clear show of popular support for the group's war-ravaged nation that went beyond music.
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The band and its song "Stefania" beat 24 other performers early Sunday in the grand final of the competition. The public vote from home, via text message or the Eurovision app, proved decisive, lifting them above British Tik Tok star Sam Ryder, who led after the national juries in 40 countries cast their votes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the victory, Ukraine's third since its 2003 Eurovision debut. He said "we will do our best" to host next year's contest in the devastated port city of Mariupol, which is almost completely occupied by Russian forces.
The Israeli audience granted 12 points to the performer from Sweden and three points to the singer from Spain.
