The Ukrainian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 was the song “Bird of Pray,” performed by the group Ziferblat. The band consists of members Danylo Leshchynskyi, Fedir Khodakov, and Valentyn Leshchynskyi, who also wrote the track. This selection came after a national final process known as Vidbir 2025, which was organized by the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine, commonly referred to as Suspilne.
The selection process began with an open call for submissions that ran from September 17, 2024, to November 10, 2024. During this period, artists from across Ukraine were invited to submit their entries for consideration.
From the total applications received, organizers initially longlisted twenty entries. Following a series of auditions, this pool was reduced to nine shortlisted acts. The final decision on which song and artist would represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 was made on February 8, 2025, resulting in the selection of “Bird of Pray” performed by Ziferblat. Ukraine’s participation in the 2025 contest began with the first semi-final, which took place on May 13, 2025.
During this semi-final, Ziferblat performed “Bird of Pray” as the fifteenth act in the running order. The song received 137 points from the voting process, securing a tenth-place finish in the semi-final.
This result was enough to qualify Ukraine for the grand final of the competition. The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 was held on May 17, 2025. In the final, “Bird of Pray” was performed seventh in the running order.
Ukraine ultimately placed ninth among the 26 finalists, reflecting the high level of competition among participating countries. This achievement marked a significant moment for Ukraine in the contest.
The process for selecting the Ukrainian entry was designed to ensure a fair evaluation of potential candidates. By opening the application period to a wide range of artists and then narrowing the field through auditions, Suspilne aimed to identify the most competitive entry for the international event. The choice of “Bird of Pray” and Ziferblat represented the culmination of this effort.
The experience gained from Ukraine’s participation in the 2025 contest is expected to provide valuable insights for future entries. The performance of “Bird of Pray” and its reception by international audiences may influence the direction of Ukrainian artists, songwriters, and broadcasters in upcoming Eurovision events.
Ukraine’s involvement in the contest remains a significant part of its cultural engagement with Europe and the broader international community.
