Ukraine’s official broadcaster for the international song contest, alongside Eurovision organizers, has officially revealed the name of the spokesperson who will carry out the honorable mission of announcing the national jury scores at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. During the grand final in Vienna on May 16, the points from Ukraine will be delivered by Daniil Leshchinsky, the frontman and lead vocalist of the prominent alternative rock band Ziferblat.
This decision is highly symbolic and continues the tradition of honoring recent contestants. Ziferblat proudly represented Ukraine at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. Their powerful progressive rock anthem “Bird of Pray” earned Ukraine a respectable ninth place in the grand final, gathering a total of 218 points. The band captivated the European audience with their intricate musical arrangements, blending retro aesthetics with deeply emotional lyrics about Ukrainians separated by the ongoing war.
“It is a tremendous privilege to announce the points from my home country to such a massive global audience. I am genuinely happy to be part of this enduring history once again and to touch the magic of Eurovision,” Daniil Leshchinsky stated in response to his new role.
The musician also took the opportunity to send a warm message of support to this year’s Ukrainian representative. He advised her to embrace the experience and enjoy every moment on the grand stage. “Participating in this massive contest is undoubtedly a crucial step, but it is ultimately just one chapter in a long artistic journey. The most important thing is to remain true to your listeners and yourself,” Leshchinsky noted.
As a reminder, Ukraine will be represented at the historic 70th Eurovision Song Contest by the talented folk-jazz artist Viktoria Leleka, performing under the stage name LELÉKA. She will perform her deeply moving song “Ridnym” (To the Native Ones), which touches upon the longing for home. According to the allocation draw, LELÉKA is set to take the stage in the second half of the second semi-final, scheduled for May 14 at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna.
In preparation for the contest in Austria, LELÉKA recently presented a revamped version of her entry. The updated track now features the rich, authentic sound of the traditional Ukrainian bandura, played by virtuoso Yaroslav Dzhus. This artistic enhancement aims to further emphasize the cultural roots of the composition and showcase Ukraine’s unique musical heritage on the European stage.
Despite the severe challenges posed by the ongoing war, Ukraine continues to assert its strong presence in the European cultural landscape. Music remains a vital tool of cultural diplomacy, allowing Ukrainian artists to convey essential messages of resilience, hope, and unity to an audience of millions worldwide.