Rap group Kalush Orchestra have been selected to represent Ukraine at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
The news comes a week after the original winner of the national selection competition, Alina Pash, was disqualified amid controversy over a trip she had taken to the Russia-annexed region of Crimea seven years prior.
Now the act who finished second to her have been selected in her place and will go on to compete in Turin in May. Band member Ihor Didenchuk is also a member of the group Go_A, who represented Ukraine last year.
Lead singer Oleh Psiuk said: "We are grateful to everyone that supported us in the final of the national selection for Eurovision 2022 and gave us the first place in SMS voting.
"We promise to every Ukrainian that we will live up to your choice. In the difficult times for our country, we will make our presence known in the whole world. So, we are ready to represent Ukraine decently to the entire Europe."
Ukraine is the focus of the world's attention at the moment after Russian president Vladimir Putin made moves that could pave the way for war between the two countries.
Watch Kalush Orchestra perform 'Stefania' below:
Neil Wilkes
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