Ukraine at Eurovision 2025: Just as everything seemed ready for the contest, a shocking event shakes the entire Ukrainian delegation. What really happened to Ukraine’s team after their rehearsal in Basel?

Hrystyna Starikova, the backing vocalist for Ukraine’s representatives, the band Ziferblat, whose bird-like voice is an integral part of their song, experienced a heartbreaking moment amid preparations for Eurovision 2025 in Basel. Starikova, who is accompanying the band at this year’s contest, arrived in Switzerland with the Ukrainian delegation ahead of rehearsals for Europe’s biggest musical event-but was forced to confront devastating news from home.

Russian Bombing Destroys Family Home

As delegations from across Europe continued to arrive in Basel for rehearsals, Starikova shared on her Instagram page, with deep sadness, that her family’s home in the city of Myrnohrad, Donetsk region, was completely destroyed following a Russian bombing. Alongside her post, she uploaded harrowing images showing the remains of the building, blackened and utterly ruined, with smoke rising in the background.

Starikova expressed her pain in deeply moving words: “And I dreamed that I would come back home again”. This short sentence sharply reflected the personal heartbreak she endured at a moment when she was supposed to be focused on musical success and a festive event.

A True Tragedy for Ukraine’s Eurovision Delegation

The tragedy emerged precisely as Ziferblat, representing Ukraine at Eurovision this year, was conducting its first rehearsal-a rehearsal that could determine their chances in the contest. This tragic event casts a heavy shadow not only over the Ukrainian delegation but also over the entire Eurovision community, which is accustomed to rallying around values of peace and unity-even in especially challenging times.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Eurovision has become a stage that brings the story of the Ukrainian people to the international forefront. This incident involving Starikova demonstrates just how much the security reality in the country continues to affect even those moments that should be dedicated to music and culture.

No official response has yet been released by Ziferblat or other members of the Ukrainian delegation regarding the incident. However, social media has already seen an outpouring of support for Starikova. Eurovision fans have posted hundreds of encouraging messages, including:

“Our hearts are with you. You represent not only Ukraine-but the indomitable spirit of us all”.

The Ukrainian delegation is expected to continue its preparations for the big stage, despite the immense hardship now added to their journey. Ziferblat is set to perform at the upcoming Eurovision with a song that has become a symbol of resilience and overcoming adversity, aiming to move all of Europe-not only through music but also through the emotional strength they bring from home.

Starikova’s experience is a painful reminder that even when the spotlight is on the glittering stage, reality – especially in war zones-continues to strike hard. This time, it has hit at the very heart of the Ukrainian delegation.

Ukraine at Eurovision 2025

“Bird of Pray” is the name of the song that will be performed by Ziferblat, representing Ukraine as song number 5 in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025, to be held on May 13th in Basel, Switzerland. The song was written by the three band members: Valentyn Leshchynskyi, Danylo Leshchynskyi, and Fedir Khodakov. This is the band members’ first song on the Eurovision stage. The song is performed in English and Ukrainian.

The song “Bird of Pray” deals with hope and a plea for life, love, and freedom in difficult times. The band asks the addressee (the bird or the beloved) to fly, live, and share their heart with someone who cares. There’s a sense of longing for freedom and deep human connection. The song combines feelings of nostalgia, hope, and a request for care and love, using the powerful imagery of a flying bird as a symbol of freedom and hope.

Currently, Ukraine is ranked 13th in the betting tables for Eurovision 2025.

Ziferblat – Who are you?

The Ukrainian band Ziferblat was formed in 2015 and consists of three members: Valentyn Leshchynskyi (guitarist), Danylo Leshchynskyi (lead vocalist), and Fedir Khodakov (drummer). The band has released about nine singles, one EP (in 2017), and an album called “Peretvorennia”. They attempted to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2023 but didn’t make it to the final. In 2024, they competed in the national selection with the song “Place I Call Home“, finishing second.

Eurovision 2025: This will be Ukraine’s 20th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Ukraine joined the competition in 2003 and has won it three times. Ukraine’s last victory was in Eurovision 2022 with the song “Stefania” performed by Kalush Orchestra.