Russian missiles hit home town of Ukraine's Eurovision contestants

Ukraine's electro-pop duo Tvorchi said this week they hoped to shine a spotlight on their country's fight for freedom against Russia during the Eurovision Song Contest.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Commander of the Western Military District of Russian Armed Forces Alexander Zhuravlyov are pictured aboard the Raptor patrol boat before the Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg (photo credit: REUTERS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Commander of the Western Military District of Russian Armed Forces Alexander Zhuravlyov are pictured aboard the Raptor patrol boat before the Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg
(photo credit: REUTERS)

 As the Eurovision song contest was underway in Britain late on Saturday, Russian missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, which is home to the electro-pop duo Tvorchi, this year's contestants from Ukraine.

Local authorities, writing on Telegram, said the strike had hit warehouses owned by commercial enterprises and a religious organization, injuring two people.

Russia has launched hundreds of rocket and missile attacks against Ukrainian targets since last October.

Ukraine's participation in Eurovision

Melinda Simmons, Britain's ambassador to Kyiv, praised Tvorchi for their Eurovision 2023 entry.

TVORCHI from Ukraine performs during the grand final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, Britain, May 13, 2023. (credit: PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS)
TVORCHI from Ukraine performs during the grand final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, Britain, May 13, 2023. (credit: PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS)

"The staging was brilliant. And poignant as their university hometown of Ternopil was targeted by Russian missiles this evening," she tweeted.

"The staging was brilliant. And poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by Russian missiles this evening."

Melinda Simmons

Tvorchi said this week they hoped to shine a spotlight on their country's fight for freedom.

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra rode a huge wave of support from across Europe to win the contest last year, but Ukraine was unable to stage Eurovision this year, as the winner usually does, because of Russia's invasion.