Ukrainian Eurovision winners selling trophy to raise cash for fight against Russia
THE Ukrainian winners of Eurovision are selling their trophy to raise funds for the fight against Russia.
Kalush Orchestra’s auction is the first time in the contest’s history a gong has been sold.
Eurovision chiefs are backing the silent auction, where the glass microphone awarded to the group goes to the person who pledges the most cash or cryptocurrency.
All proceeds will go directly to the front line to help those battling Vladimir Putin’s forces.
A £5 donation will also get a pink hat like one worn by lead singer Oleh Psyuk, 28, when Kalush Orchestra beat Britain’s Sam Ryder into second place earlier this month.
In an Instagram video Oleh insisted: “This has never happened in the history of Eurovision, and is unlikely to happen again. But the time now is unique.
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“Every euro of your donation will save lives of Ukrainian soldiers.”
The biggest donation so far is £15,700 from an American hopeful. Nearly two million Ukrainian hryvnia, or £54,000, has been raised for hats.
Kyiv real estate manager Oleksii Kulyk, 40, told The Sun: “What a fantastic thing to do. Any help is really appreciated. The fact our war efforts will benefit is incredible.”
The auction closes on May 28.
Kalush Orchestra’s five members are back fighting on the front line as Russia is just days away from taking control of a key city.
Severodonetsk, in the battered eastern Donbas region, is facing an imminent massive ground offensive.
Neighbouring city Lysychansk is also under attack from three sides as thousands of Russians seek to encircle defending forces.
Their fall would leave the whole of Luhansk province under Russian control, a key Kremlin war aim.
Russian forces have attacked more than 40 towns in the East, hitting 47 civilian sites — including homes and a school — with five dead and 38 people injured. Four also died in Kharkiv shelling.
But Russia has lost its 44th colonel. The death of father-of-three Lt Col Sergey Viktorovich Nikitin, 43, was revealed by his sister.
Yesterday former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger suggested that Ukraine should let Russia keep Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
But furious President Volodymyr Zelensky accused him of being like those who appeased the Nazis.
He insisted: “You get the impression that Mr Kissinger doesn’t have 2022 on his calendar, but 1938.”
Meanwhile Mr Zelensky has met the PM of Finland. Sanna Marin, who has applied to join Nato, made a visit to Kyiv yesterday.
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President Zelensky posted pictures on Instagram and Telegram and wrote: “Finland’s military assistance is very valuable to us.
“Weapons, the sanctions policy and the unity of our partners on the issue of Ukraine’s application to the EU are what can ensure strength in our country’s defence.”
Big cats saved by veterans
BRITISH ex-Army volunteers led a rescue mission to save nine starving lions from a Ukraine zoo.
The old soldiers helped transport the beasts in the largest big cat evacuation from a warzone yet.
One, Tom, said they were taken to Romania from Biopark in war-torn Black Sea port Odessa.
He said the team faced a “constant threat” of shelling in Ukraine.
UK-based vet Gemma Campling, who anaesthetised the lions, said: “We had to be on our toes.”
Lionel de Lange, of Warriors of Wildlife, masterminded the project.
He said the two males, five females and two cubs may go to a South African game reserve.
