The Ukrainian band that won this year's Eurovision Song Contest has auctioned off their trophy to raise money for their country's military. The band, called Kalush Orchestra, reportedly sold their trophy for $900,000.
The trophy was auctioned off during an event aimed at raising money for Ukraine's military to aid in its fight against Russia. According to reports, the money raised during the event will be used to purchase three Ukraine-built PD-2 drones, including three aircraft and a ground control station. The drones, which are built by Ukrspec, are modular aerial systems that can be used for surveillance, photography, border control, and search and rescue missions.
The band announced its intention to auction the crystal microphone trophy on Facebook to gain global support. The post also served as a fundraising activity for the band to support Ukraine. In a post on social media, the band announced that the cryptocurrency exchange Whitebit had won the bid for $900,000. The band added that for their support, the exchange was truly the rightful owners of the trophy.
The announcement of the winner of the auction coincided with the band's appearance at a special charity concert in Berlin. The band joined the concert at the Brandenburg Gate, which was raising money for humanitarian supplies. During the concert, the band called on the audience to always keep the war in mind, adding that it should be on the front pages of all newspapers until peace is finally achieved.
Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest final with their song "Stefania," sweeping the public vote, partly swayed by the band's story and efforts to join the event. The rap-folk band won the competition on May 14.
The band obtained special permission from the Ukrainian government to leave the country for the competition held in Turin, Italy. After the conflict broke out, the government ordered most Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 to remain in the country in case they were needed to fight. The band's five members have since been called to return to Ukraine to join their countrymen in their fight against Russia.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has now lasted for more than four months, has claimed thousands of civilian lives, displaced millions of Ukrainians, and left cities in ruins. Russia calls its recent actions a "special military operation" aimed at disarming Ukraine and protecting it from fascism, but Ukraine and the West deny this and believe that the nation's action is an unprovoked act of aggression.
