Main points
- Ukraine has won Eurovision three times – in 2004, 2016, and 2022.
- Winners: Ruslana from “Wild Dances”, Jamala from “1944”, Kalush Orchestra from “Stefania”.
Eurovision winners from Ukraine / Collage of Channel 24
Ukraine has been participating in the singing contest since 2003. During this time, we have won the winner's cup three times. The first time was in 2004, the second time was in 2016, and the third time was in 2022.
It is interesting that the years when we took first place were special in the history of Ukraine. This is the Orange Revolution, the first years of the war in Donbas, when Russia occupied Crimea, and also the beginning of a full-scale war. Each representative of our country rightfully received his victory, although the aggressor country is still trying to prove that Ukraine's victory is political. But who cares about the opinion of those who have not even been represented at Eurovision in recent years.
Since the anniversary competition is now in full swing, Channel 24 offers to learn interesting information about the three Ukrainian winners, whom Europe has loved with all its heart.
Ruslana – Wild Dances (2004)
The Ukrainian singer represented our country in Istanbul with “Wild Dances.” Her victory was the first for Ukraine, and interestingly, it was the second year that our country participated in Eurovision.
The song combined Carpathian motifs, modern choreography, and an energetic show. Ruslana received 280 points.
Ruslana – Wild Dances (Eurovision): watch the video online
The singer's trump card was the fact that at the press conference she treated journalists to vodka, lard, and even taught them to play the trembita.
For the performance, she wore a leather suit with a fur cape, reminiscent of an Amazon. And this definitely played a role in determining the winner of the competition.
Ruslana at Eurovision / Photo CFC
Jamala – “1944” (2016)
In 2015, Ukraine did not participate in the contest due to the war, but a year later, Jamala represented our country with the song “1944”. The artist performed in Stockholm, and her track told about the tragic events of the past, which should not happen again. The star was inspired to write the composition by her grandmother's stories about the deportation of Crimean Tatars and the annexation of Crimea. This was the first time that the Crimean Tatar language was heard on the Eurovision stage.
Jamala – “1944” (Eurovision-2016): watch the video online
The Europeans felt the performer's message, so Jamala received 534 points and won.
And how could it be without it? The Russians claimed that the text was politicized, but the European Broadcasting Union recognized that the track did not violate the rules of the competition.
As for her look, the singer wore a blue suit. The pants were embroidered with a lace pattern, and the voluminous sleeves added femininity to the look. By the way, the suit was created by Ivan Frolov.
Jamala at Eurovision / Photo from the singer's Instagram
After such success, the artist signed a contract with Universal Music Group, which released her album “1944” in Europe and the United States. And in 2023, this song was among the top three songs of Eurovision, according to the British publication The Guardian.
In addition, in 2024, the artist was the only representative of Ukrainian show business to sing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Then Jamala used the moment to remind that Ukraine needs support.
Channel 24 and the 66th Motorized Rifle Brigade have opened a fundraiser for interceptor drones. Our team has joined the fundraiser, so we will be raffling off a themed gift among our readers, which we will bring especially for you from Eurovision , which will take place in Vienna this week.
Any donation is not only destroyed enemy targets in the Ukrainian sky, but also an opportunity to get a mention of the song contest that the whole world knows! Donate to the bank and give unforgettable emotions to yourself or your loved ones!
Kalush Orchestra – Stefania (2022)
The band was formed in 2021, and a year later went to represent Ukraine at Eurovision, when Russia started a full-scale war. The Ukrainian team went to represent our country in Turin, Italy.
The track was written before the start of the Great War, but after Eurovision it became an unofficial symbol of support for mothers and the native land. After the performance, Oleg Psyuk shouted on stage: “Help Mariupol, help Azovstal now!”. Ukrainians remember well how the whole country was worried about the defenders in Mariupol, who found themselves in a hostile environment. But the network immediately began to write that this violates the rules of the contest, which is “outside politics”, but no one disqualified Ukraine.
Oleg Psyuk shouted on stage a request for help for Mariupol and Azovstal: watch the video online
Kalush Orchestra received 192 points from the jury and 439 points from the audience, which at that time was a record public vote. After the competition, the group sold the award in the form of a crystal microphone, and the proceeds were transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Many Euro fans said that Ukraine had won undeservedly. They said that the band only won because there was a war going on in their country.
Kalush Orchestra – Stefania (Eurovision 2022): watch the video online
The band's performance was truly unique. The artists collected authentic costumes from museums across the country, and the pink Panama hat became the highlight of the act. A replica of the hat was then worn by Eurovision fans, and the original was sold at a charity auction.
Kalush Orchestra at Eurovision / Photo from the official Eurovision website
After winning, Stefania's song topped the Apple Music charts in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia and became the most listened to track in Eastern European and Central Asian countries.
Later, the band became a topic of conversation in the United States, as a photo of the Kalush Orchestra appeared in Times Square.
Kalush Orchestra in Times Square / Photo from Suspilny's Instagram
Interestingly, yesterday, May 14, it was exactly 4 years since the Kalush Orchestra won the singing competition.
Do you have a chance for LELÉKA to win Eurovision 2026?
As of May 14, the Ukrainian representative is currently in 10th place in the overall ranking with a win rate of just 2%.
But the top three include: Finland – 37%, Greece – 13% and Denmark – 11%.