Ukraine: Eurovision winning band sells trophy to buy drones

The crystal microphone was auctioned on Facebook, with the aim of buying drones for the Ukrainian military.

THE Kalush OrchestraUkrainian band that won the musical contest Eurovision this year, sold his trophy for US$ 900 thousand (more than R$ 4 million) to raise money for the war at Ukraine.

The crystal microphone was auctioned on Facebook, with the aim of buying drones for Ukraine’s military, BBC News reported. The sale coincided with the band’s performance at a benefit concert at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.

The aim was to raise money for medical care and supplies. During the concert, band member Oleh Psiuk appealed to people not to get used to war. “I think it should always be on the front pages, until peace comes,” Psiuk said.

The conflict left at least 4,031 civilians dead and 4,735 wounded, according to the UN, in addition to an unknown number of fighters killed and wounded.

The war in Ukraine has also forced more than 14 million people to flee their homes since the Russia invaded the country on February 24 this year.

The song that won the band the victory at Eurovision, Stefaniawas originally written in honor of Psiuk’s mother, but soulful lyrics like “I’ll always walk to you down broken roads” were reinterpreted as a rallying cry.

Ukrainian TV presenter Serhiy Prytula announced that the money raised from the sale of the trophy would be used to buy three Ukrainian-made PD-2 drones, Reuters news agency reported.

Drones are widely used by Ukrainian and Russian forces, not only as weapons but also as reconnaissance aircraft.

Source: Exam