The band Tvorchi will represent Ukraine at the 2023 Eurovision contest
Ukraine has chosen the pop band Tvorchi as its representative for next year's Eurovision Song Contest, in a live broadcast from a bomb shelter in Kiev, the BBC reports.
Heart of Steel is the first song confirmed for the 2023 competition in Liverpool.
Andrei Hutsuliak, a member of the Tvorchi band, said: "We will try to do everything to give Ukraine dignity."
During the performance of the piece in a bomb shelter, dancers wore gas masks while nuclear warning signs appeared on screens over lyrics such as: "Don't be afraid to speak your mind."
"I just want to say thank you, Ukraine," said vocalist Jeffery Kenny.
"We didn't think we would win, but we want to thank everyone who supported us, who listens to our music and who fights on the front line," added Hutsuliak.
The Tvorchi band hopes to repeat the success of compatriots Kalush Orchestra, who won this year's competition in May.
The winning country normally hosts the following year's event, but organizers decided it was too dangerous to hold Eurovision in Ukraine in 2023. The city of Liverpool was appointed to host the show on behalf of Ukraine. Cyprus, Israel, the Netherlands and Slovenia have also chosen their representatives for Liverpool, but have yet to release the songs they will perform.
The 37 participating countries have until the end of March to confirm their songs and artists for the competition.
The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place on May 13.
