Ukraine's Eurovision act to be chosen in live broadcast from Kyiv bomb shelter

Ukraine is set to select its Eurovision 2023 act during a live broadcast from a Kyiv bomb shelter.

The country is the current reigning champion of the long-running music contest, but Liverpool will host next year's ceremony on behalf of Ukraine which is currently under attack from Russia.

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Sam Ryder brought the UK to second place in this year's competition and now acts from all over Ukraine are hoping to follow in Kalush Orchestra's footsteps by winning in 2023.

The grand final of Vidbir, Ukraine's Eurovision national selection competition, will take place on Saturday, 17 December at a currently undisclosed location in the capital, with national broadcaster UA:PBC having received nearly 400 songs from 299 participants.

Watch: Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra thank the world for Eurovision win

Pianoboy, the Ukrainian music producer overseeing the selection process, said: “I would like this Vidbir to discover new outstanding creative names and make people feel touched and good about this music.

“I must say, which is quite unexpected for me, this job is based on psychology because you have to raise musicians from sort of a bottom, motivate them.

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“A lot of musicians that you will hear at Vidbir made a song to be heard at Vidbir probably because of this Vidbir and, again because of it, resumed doing music.

“I see my function in this and I am very happy about it.”

Russia has been banned from competing in Eurovision because of the country's invasion of Ukraine.

But North Macedonia and Montenegro have recently had to pull out of the contest over mounting costs which are said to be in part because of the increase caused by large financial backer Russia not taking part.

North Macedonia has said its budget could be better spent on helping its citizens tackle rising energy costs.

Both countries which have dropped out have also voiced concern over the cost of putting up as delegation in Liverpool - where some hotel costs are said to have soared to £4,000 a night over the Eurovision weekend.