“Everything inside is shattered”: Ukrainian Eurovision star Alyosha revealed the extent of destruction to her Kyiv home after a deadly Russian attack, as she and her family narrowly escaped harm.
During a missile attack on Kyiv last night (June 23rd), the apartment of Alyosha, Ukraine’s Eurovision 2010 representative, was severely damaged. The missile did not hit her building directly, but the blast waves tore the steel doors from their frames and caused extensive destruction. Despite the damage – she and her family survived. Her husband, singer Taras Topolia, updated that a nearby building suffered a direct hit – with many casualties reported.
“Everything Inside Is Shattered” – Shock, Destruction, and Reactions from the Music Community
Topolia’s post painted a grim picture:
“Everything inside is shattered… The blast waves bent the metal and broke the doors from their locks. We are lucky – we are all alive.”
The statement sparked a wave of solidarity from artists, including Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, who wrote: “I can’t bear this shock. If you need anything – I am here.”
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
The public response to the incident exposed once again the gap between the glittering image of the Eurovision Song Contest and the reality in which some participants live. Alyosha’s post, published shortly after the attack, went viral and resonated especially among Eurovision fan communities. She wrote:
“We are living in a lottery of hell – and this night has claimed many victims.”
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
From Eurovision to the Front: Alyosha’s Journey from the Stage to a War Zone
Alyosha represented Ukraine at Eurovision 2010 with the song “Sweet People” and placed tenth. Even then, she presented a voice of protest against environmental destruction. Since then, she has undergone a personal and professional transformation: she adopted her real name, Olena Topolia, and joined her husband in artistic and political activism.
At Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, she performed a powerful and emotional duet with British singer Rebecca Ferguson, against the backdrop of war in her country. In an article she published in the British newspaper The Guardian at the time, she wrote:
“From the moment the war began, Eurovision became something else. It’s not just an entertainment contest – it’s a stage for a cry. Children my own kids’ age are being killed – this is not normal. What is happening is pure evil.”
A Cry That Crosses Borders: The Incident’s Impact and the Wider Eurovision Context
The attack on Alyosha’s home also has symbolic significance: it occurred as the Eurovision community is still recovering from the stormy 2025 season. This year saw ongoing political tensions, as various artists – some from the same Eastern European music scene – were forced to face pressure from both audiences and their own governments. Personal stories like this serve as a reminder that the contest does not take place in a vacuum, but rather against the dramatic backdrop of a world where music and war are intertwined.
Unsurprisingly, many in the EuroMix community – one of the largest Eurovision fan communities in the world – expressed support for Alyosha. In conversations we held with members of the Israeli group, there was a strong sense of concern and solidarity with the singer, who for years has represented her country with pride, both in times of peace and under fire.
A Personal Perspective: When Did Eurovision Stop Being Just a Show?
Over the years, watching dozens of Eurovision contests, I have repeatedly felt how politics and real drama penetrate even the most glittering stage in Europe. Cases like Alyosha’s make the usual questions – about songs, voices, and stages – secondary. Eurovision becomes a new mirror of reality. Not just a ceremony – but a cultural act with deep human significance.
Ukraine at Eurovision 2025
“Bird of Pray” is the name of the song that was performed by Ziferblat, representing Ukraine in Eurovision 2025. Ukraine qualified for the final from the first semi-final of the contest and finished 9th overall with 218 points. Ukraine finished 6th in tele-votes and 14th in jury votes.
The Ukrainian result is their worst one since 2018.
Eurovision 2025: This was 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.
