How Eurovision will play out amid Ukraine war

Invaded nation’s act is favourite to win while Russia barred from taking part

Kalush Orchestra celebrate their semi-final win
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra celebrate semi-final win
(Image credit: Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine is being tipped to win this year’s Eurovision after giving its entrants special permission to leave the war-torn country to compete in the song contest.

The six members of folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra were “encouraged to travel” to the Italian city of Turin for the final on Saturday despite a specially introduced martial law that prevents men of military age from departing Ukraine, The Telegraph reported.

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