Ukrainian Eurovision winner did not break political song ban

The Ukrainian singer who pulled off a surprising victory at the Eurovision Song Contest said: “If you sing about truth, it can really touch people” after she defeated musical and political rival Russia.

Jamala, who is a Tatar, insists her song about Stalin, Crimea, and accusations claims of ethnic cleansing did not break Eurovision’s ban on political songs because it was a tribute to her great-grandmother.

Her triumph pushed Russia, who had been the favourite ahead of the final, into third place behind Australia.