Featured Image Credit: suspilne.eurovision/Instagram
Topics: News, Russia, Ukraine, Eurovision
Charisa Bossinakis
Topics: News, Russia, Ukraine, Eurovision
A Eurovision commentator in Ukraine has been praised for broadcasting from inside a bomb shelter amid Russia's invasion.
Talk about commitment to your job.
The first semi-final took place earlier this week, with 10 countries battling it out to take home the crown.
But as the extravaganza unfolded, Ukraine’s commentator, Timur Miroshnychenko, was seen covering the singing contest from an undisclosed location to protect his safety.
Ukraine’s official Eurovision Instagram account also shared two photos of the commentator working behind a desk with headphones.
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They wrote: "Our commentator Timur Miroshnychenko works from a bomb shelter.
"We remind you that the broadcast from the commentary studio of the first semifinal of Eurovision will start on May 10, at 22:00 on our YouTube channel Eurovision Ukraine."
Many commended Miroshnychenko for his efforts covering the 66th edition of the contest, with one person writing: “Fantastic job you are doing!”
Another commented: “Good job! Love from Poland!”
A third person said: “Here they are, the realities of our lives.”
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Others also posted heart and pray hand emojis to rally behind the broadcaster.
Ukraine’s entry, hip hop collective Kalush Orchestra, also went on to receive a standing ovation for the performance of their song 'Stefania'.
The hip-hop collective, who are the favourites to win this year, initially weren’t granted a ticket to Eurovision after losing out to Alina Pash in the Ukrainian national final earlier this year.
ABC News reports that Pash was under investigation for visiting Crimea in 2015.
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Under Ukrainian law, it is illegal to visit the Russian-controlled country, which subsequently forced the singer to drop out of the competition, and the runners-up were sent in her place instead.
Pash announced she had removed herself from Eurovision and said she had received a slew of attacks following the investigation.
She wrote via Instagram: "I am a Ukrainian citizen. I follow Ukrainian law and try to bring Ukraine's traditions and values into the world.
"What this story has come to is not at all what I tried to convey with my song."
Kalush Orchestra was granted an exemption to leave Ukraine to compete. The nation currently has a rule that requires men between the ages of 18 and 60 to stay in Ukraine as they may be called to fight.