Picture credit: Suspilne

Tonight Ukraine chose its Eurovision 2023 representative. In a show hosted by Eurovision commentator Timur Miroshnychenko and song contest stars Zlata Ognevich and Kateryna Pavlenko, the country had to decide between ten very different acts. Only one could fly the yellow-blue in Liverpool — and that honour went to Tvorchi with “Heart of Steel“.

The song was inspired by the Ukrainians who defend Azovstal steel factory near Mariupol. Despite constant shelling, they endured and sent videos to Ukrainians, helping inspire a nation in these darkest of days.

Scroll down for the full results and live performance

Ukraine’s Vidbir 2023 showcased ten different acts that spanned a plethora of genres. The songs were selected by the show’s musical director Dmytro Shurov (Pianoboy).

Earlier Ukrainians chose the judging panel themselves in a public vote staged via the Diia app. The public chose Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, The Hardkiss’ lead singer Julia Sanina and pop star Taras Topolia. They decided 50% of the result. The public accounted for the other 50% — once again casting their votes through the Diia app. It allowed Ukrainians abroad to vote too. There wasn’t an SMS vote this year. Around 167,000 votes were counted.

Ukraine Eurovision 2023 – Tvorchi – “Heart of Steel”

Vidbir 2023 acts live performances

Moisei – “I’m not alone”

OY Sound System – “Oy, tuzhu”

Demchuk – “Alive”

Jerry Heil – “WHEN GOD SHUT THE DOOR”

Fiinka – “Dovbush”

Krutь – “Kolyskova”

Tember Blanche – “Ya vdoma”

Angelina – “Stronger”

2Tone – “Kvitka”

Vidbir 2023 results

Jury voting

1.  Krutь — 10 points

2.  Tvorchi — 9 points

3.  Jerry Heil — 8 points

4.  Demchuk — 7 points

5.  FIINKA — 6 points

6.  Oy Sound System — 5 points

7.  2Tone — 4 points

8.  Angelina — 3 points

9.  Tember Blance — 2 points

10.  Moisei — 1 point

App voting results

1. Tvorchi — 10 points

2.  Jerry Heil — 9 points

3.  Krutь — 8 points

4.  FIINKA — 7 points

5.  Moisei — 6 points

6.  2Tone — 5 points

7.  Demchuk — 4 points

8.  Tember Blanche — 3 points

9.  Oy Sound System — 2 points

10.  Angelina — 1 point

Combined results

1.  Tvorchi — 19 points

2.  Krutь — 18 points

3.  Jerry Heil — 17 points

4.  FIINKA — 13 points

5.  Demchuk — 11 points

6.  2Tone — 9 points

7.  Moisei — 7 points

8.  Oy Sound Sytem — 7 points

9.  Tember Blanche — 5 points

10.  Angelina — 4 points

How do you think Tvorchi will do at Eurovision? Did the right act win? Let us know in the comments down below!

267 Comments
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BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

I would be remiss not to commend Ukraine For putting on a fantastic show during hard times. I never would’ve guessed that it was staged in a bomb shelter under a metro because it looked so good.

Jovana
Jovana
1 year ago

After Fiinka they were my choice. I love it! Great stage performance, they killed it!

Ciao Bella
Ciao Bella
1 year ago

Great visuals, great voice, but the song needs a better chorus

zelenovi
zelenovi
1 year ago

Vidbir is still one of the highest quality NFs around. I think Heart of Steel is fine but don’t love it – it does feel a little generic to me and lacks impact in the chorus. Jerry Heil and especially Krut’ both are more my personal taste and I was blown away by both Krut’s visual performance and especially Jerry’s vocals – I didn’t think anyone could sing that song effectively live, but she was solid as a rock.

Theresa May
Theresa May
1 year ago

And we have our 2023 Eurovision winner

Nils
Nils
1 year ago
Reply to  Theresa May

No

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

Of the three returning acts from Vidbir 2020 (who all finished top 3), Tvorchi was the act I least expected to win. I really thought it was going to be between Jerry Heil and Krut, but I didn’t see “Heart of Steel”‘s victory coming. To be fair, it actually was one of my top 3 Vidbir 2023 songs, just not the one I expected to win. For all of you grumbling about Heart of Steel winning, this isn’t the first time we’ve had an unexpected national final winner and I guarantee it won’t be the last. That said, I get… Read more »

Leigh
Leigh
1 year ago

Absolutely devastated the Krut didn’t win, far far better song, very emotional, would have looked amazing on the big stage given how fantastic Ukraine always do with staging.

Martyna
Martyna
1 year ago

My third favourite song won. Before the final, I was certain Jerry Heil would win, like 100% sure, I supported Krut? as well, but once I heard Krut? live, I was utterly in love with her, so emotional, so poignant, just made me cry, such na Witcher vibe. I was sure either Jerry or Krut? would win. I told my bf Tvorchi had a cool song too, perfect to be played in radio stations, but I told him they’d never win since their song is in English, and Ukraine would definitely want a song in Ukrainian this year, and clearly… Read more »

Xxx
Xxx
1 year ago

This was one of the 5 songs that I liked before the final, so I’m not even mad.

musica
musica
1 year ago

Fairly middle of the road song with some nice breaks in the beat. The performance makes it seem more than it actually is. But that usually works in Eurovision, bad songs with a good performance tend to do better than good songs with a bad performance.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

I dont particularly like this song. It is too “generic” for me. But I Guess that doing the NF in a bunker might be a good element for another Ukranian Víctory.

Gaga
Gaga
1 year ago

I support Ukraine but this ding does nothing to me. They should have chosen a folk sing internally. I was rooting for their last year’s entry.

musica
musica
1 year ago
Reply to  Gaga

Maybe Ukrainians feel this is more representative of their country than a folk song? Do you know what the average Ukrainian listens to on a daily basis? My guess is, not a lot of folk music.

Neila
Neila
1 year ago
Reply to  Gaga

I am happy with the choice top 1 for me from their national selection. As much as I like their creativity to mix folk with modern music, it also becomes as a pattern every year.

Dane
Dane
1 year ago

Could I know how Jamala voted? Krut’ was the first for her as well?

Dane
Dane
1 year ago

The staging is cool, but the song is just good. Nothing special. It need a little revamp I guess.

Dane
Dane
1 year ago
Reply to  Dane

but the song is just fine*

Nils
Nils
1 year ago

5/10. It’s alright, but somewhat boring.

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
1 year ago

The song itself is not the best that we’ve heard from Ukraine, but it’s certainly not terrible either and it’s well performed. And the staging is very well put together. But I was expecting that: Ukraine always pulls out all the stops when it comes to staging, and this looks very powerful and thoughtful.

Jessie
Jessie
1 year ago

ukraine is not winning again confirmed

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago
Reply to  Jessie

are you sure?

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Jessie

A NF in a bomb shelter is a very dramatic reason for people to support Ukraine.

VivaLaDiva
VivaLaDiva
1 year ago
Reply to  Jessie

Lol, you forgot this is Ukraine we are talking about.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
1 year ago

For me the obvious choice would be Jerry Heil. It’s winning material right there. Call me old-fashioned or conservative, but I don’t think that such a generic American or Swedish sounding song represents Ukraine well in this particular moment in time. But of course the Ukrainian people have voted, it’s there choice and this has to be respected

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

Who said they want to win again?

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
1 year ago
Reply to  Jamie

Did I say they should or want to win again?

Toinousse
Toinousse
1 year ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

I don’t think your opinion is conservative, but it is reductive to think that Ukrainians are limited to a specific type of music.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
1 year ago
Reply to  Toinousse

Of course they are not. I didn’t say that. But exactly because they are so musically diverse and rich, it strikes me as reductive to send such a generic song

Im so fab
Im so fab
1 year ago

So, when does the drama kick off?

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

Not a great start of the eurovision season… Sorry to say it. but I don’t like it

Efraim
Efraim
1 year ago

I have to admit I’m yet to hear any of the other Vidbir songs, but at least Heart of Steel it’s a better season opener than Bulgaria’s in ’22.

Still, it’s looking to me like it will be this year’s Miss You: decent if just-not-that-memorable song, good presentation, more likely to get lost in the shuffle than to win.

It’s too early to call, since it’s the only song we know for now, but as of this moment I don’t think Ukraine will get a repeat win in Liverpool.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Efraim

I don’t assume that Ukraine will win again, or be in a shortlist to do so. It will get some points by the jury for how slick it is, and the televoters will give it more than they did Miss You, because it’s Ukraine and not Belgium (e.i. more diaspora). Overall scoring a good 16th-13th place, even if I’m just guessing blindly based on the previous voting patterns and achievements of songs with a similar style. Something that easily goes out of the window at ESC. In the end, this is just an early prediction without concrete other songs for… Read more »

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
1 year ago
Reply to  Efraim

Well, that is not very difficult, is it? 🙂

Samira
Samira
1 year ago
Reply to  Efraim

Comparing anything to Bulgaria 2022 is like comparing star to a campfire…

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

Ukraine 3,5/12 – really a big disappointment

Catriona
Catriona
1 year ago

Really good staging from Tvorchi, but one song in and I’m already annoyed about a result. When God Shut The Door was top 5 material. Krut had a great live performance and was probably top 10. But apart from the staging, Tvorchi have a forgettable electro infused R&B song with fairly weak vocals. Such a shame.

vetrina
vetrina
1 year ago

Another top 10 for UA! Kudos!

Sabrina
Sabrina
1 year ago

I’ll echo Milan: it’s a pity Tvorchi won’t be in Eurovision with “Bonfire” but with “Heart of Steel”. Their entry this time is fine, but I keep missing something on this track. On the other hand, the visual presentation was already great and I’m sure Ukraine will do a great use of the big stage, as they normally do. Not bad for the first entry of Eurovision 2023, but in my books it’s a big step back when compared to gems like “Shum” and “Stefania”.

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago
Reply to  Sabrina

their entry this time is not really fine – believe it or not.
… (war) staging beats a song or the music = bad way for every country.
lasse is still in rage modus but that is also my fault,because i like more all kinds of (good) music.
ukraine has lost their music identity and that is not my fault.
if ukraine win the ESC with that crap ESC is dead forever.

Jack Needham
Jack Needham
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

Yeah well, at least Ukraine isn’t going to win with this song, for what I can assure you.

Boozyfloozy69
Boozyfloozy69
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

Amen!

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I hadn’t heard “Bonfire” before, but listened to it last night (on repeat!) and it made this year’s result more legible to me, if not any more just. They just seem much better at minimalist, oblique cool than at an anthem.

Who cares about me honestly
Who cares about me honestly
1 year ago

Ehehe you are salty here

Kevan1994
Kevan1994
1 year ago

Via Wikipedia:

1. Tvorchi – 54,041
2. Jerry Heil – 45,657
3. Krut? – 33,614
4. Fiinka -11,109

Everyone else was between 2,400 – 5,400

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago
Reply to  Kevan1994

it seems,the fanclub from tvorchi ist very huge.
above i can read,that app voting was in the game – app?
i know here in germany a lot of 40+ people who never used an app for something – ukraine situation?

Kaputalbus
Kaputalbus
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

No, it was in government app “diia”. So, results are absolutely accurate

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

I´m one of them. I don´t need any apps in my life.

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr X

I don´t have a smartphone

Yeva
Yeva
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

It was a vote using an application with an electronic passport. In Ukraine, we have apps for everything

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

Im guessing the lyrics and the nuclear imagery is directed at Putin and his threats to use them, and the whole “don’t care what you say because nobody’s listening because I’ve got a heart of steel” is ukraines resolve and courage. Yeah it’s not bad, as a first song it’s hard to judge where it will finish when there’s nothing to compare it to, but yeah it’s a solid track I’m sure will do well. Don’t think Ukraine will win next year though unless of course you know, things escalate but as of now and with song alone, I’d say… Read more »

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago
Reply to  Darren

revamps sucks!
not a good argument.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

Ukraine 2014
Israel 2021

Beg to differ

Not even arguing

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

Revamps are very hit and miss. Sometimes they actually do improve the song, but other times they make it worse. It’s a gamble

Samira
Samira
1 year ago

Didn’t follow the selection much, but I expect that this won’t make Ukraine pull a double win. They tend to hold back quite a bit after a winning entry (look at Greenjolly and O.Torvald) so yeah… it’s a solid song by itself, but also very… stale?

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

High quality act. Well done Ukraine!

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

are you serious?

Man
Man
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

Yes. It was the same this year. If another cobtry should send this song, everybody should hate it

Neila
Neila
1 year ago

Differently to everyone, I wasn’t a fan of krut and jerry too much and I really like Tvorchi! Well done.

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago

At any rate, I’m seriously impressed by the show the Ukrainians put on.

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago

I’m a little heartbroken because I loved Krut’ so much and a little surprised because the zeitgeist seemed to me to be more favorable to her or Jerry. Tvorchi just seems professional but generic even if the staging was pretty good.

I imagine that Jerry will be in contention again, probably in a year when she can send a song more favorable to her strengths. Fiinka too.

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago
Reply to  Zanoni

kruts masterpiece was maybe her creative peak – time will tell.

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

I think there’s also a decent possibility that her creative peak lies ahead but that it won’t be as pop-adjacent as ’99’ and ‘lullaby’

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago
Reply to  Zanoni

as i have written – time will tell but 2023 was maybe her best chance.
in 2020 (canceled) very good go_a was the wall and now the wall was WTF.

Pandaman
Pandaman
1 year ago
Reply to  Zanoni

She also announced on Facebook, prior to the national final, that it’s the last time she’s competing.

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago
Reply to  Pandaman

Not surprising, really.

Ieva
Ieva
1 year ago

Amazing choice!! Also I’m impressed how good everyone sounded. What a strong year for the Ukrainian selection.

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago

not choosing that arty magical masterpiece from krut? was one of the biggest ESC disappointments in years for me.
last year ukraine throwing away the magic with alina pash – this year something similar.

Posi
Posi
1 year ago
Reply to  lasse braun

I am heartbroken. I love Kruts song so much…i got goosebumps watching it.

Marina
Marina
1 year ago

oh, I voted for Tvorchi, because I am tired of hearing complaints of a huge amount of eurofans about “pityvotes”, “politicvision”, “crying” and ets. I am a huge fan of eurovision and many Ukrainians actually are too. And it really hurt to read such things after Kalush and Jamala won. So, please, I hope, no hate anymore. But, I can already see it. More interesting, if Jerry or KRUT was chosen, i am sure, nothing would changed and people were unsatisfied again…

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  Marina

There will always be some people to be disappointed. Although, I think eurovision fans would have been more satisfied with a victory from Jerry Heil or KRUTb. For me it shows that fans still care about Ukraine in this contest because they know the country is a powerhouse. It’s normal that we obly hope the best for our beloved Eurovision.

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

got bored before the 2nd minute

Milan
Milan
1 year ago

Too bad “Bonfire” didn’t get to Eurovision. This song is not half as good… “Bonfire” would have been a strong contender (war or no war).

Patrick Pastor
Patrick Pastor
1 year ago

The fact that many people are 1). really angry or 2). only happy about this because they don’t want to see Ukraine winning speaks volumes about Eurofans.

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago
Reply to  Patrick Pastor

i take option 1.

Who cares about me honestly
Who cares about me honestly
1 year ago
Reply to  Patrick Pastor

And i’m blessed with being absolutely happy with the results*-*

Yankee
Yankee
1 year ago

Tvorchi was one of my least favorite songs. Not sure what Ukrainians saw in that song. I know it’s going to fall low on my list.

TISAA
TISAA
1 year ago
Reply to  Yankee

one of the worst song in the Ukraine final

Marcin
Marcin
1 year ago

2023 is already up to a bad start.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Matthew

You don’t have to. Certainly don’t have to have to be as nasty as some Eurofans have gotten online.

Shift_key
Shift_key
1 year ago

Lol at all the negativity here from the ESC gays (I am ESC fan and gay too btw). Tvorchi is a quality act, regardless of what you say. They won the public vote so stop whining and start accepting the choice of the Ukrainians.

Zenellie
Zenellie
1 year ago
Reply to  Shift_key

Boring generic trash.

Kalla
Kalla
1 year ago
Reply to  Shift_key

Ummm how do you know everyone’s gay?

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Kalla

Most of us are into men here 😀

Pandaman
Pandaman
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

And how exactly do you know that?

Filip
Filip
1 year ago

Its good, but its not going to win.

Kevan1994
Kevan1994
1 year ago

Surprise results are the rollercoaster that makes the National Selection season exciting. There are clearly many quality songs in each national selection and I’ve found that surprise results (when you have an open mind) allow you to explore even more music and appreciate quality and appeal in songs that may be different than your personal taste. Or, often the case, you may in fact enjoy the winning song but have created a narrative in your mind that your favourite must win or else everything is a disaster. Many favourites at Eurovision have not been the immediate clear favourite in their… Read more »

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago

i’d say the song is just okay, nothing groundbreaking. odd decision from ukrainians to send a song that could be from anywhere considering how proud they are of their culture.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

TVORCHI’s performance was the only one that referenced the war in its staging. It had dancers in gas masks, visuals of kids wearing gas masks and the nuclear test sign splattered throughout the LEDs.

I guess Ukrainians felt that was more important than the actual song.

Teddy
Teddy
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

It was the least war themed song out of the top three though?? If they had chosen Jerry or Krut’ you’d probably have said they chose it for the political lyrics…

Ant
Ant
1 year ago

Proud of the culture means wanting to be represented by the song you like the best, and it doesn’t have to mean showing off your folklore. There’s more to Ukrainian culture than traditional sounds, Ukrainian voters always get behind ethnic stuff when they *like it* and if it’s done well and with sincerity like with Jamala, Go_A or Kalush, but average voters don’t like songs just for being folksy Ukrainian

Ant
Ant
1 year ago

Proud can also mean wanting to be represented by the song with best quality. Ukrainian viewers appreciate well-made ethno like Go_A, Jamala or Kalush, but, apparently, for many Ukrainians, tonight’s folk inspired stuff wasn’t cutting it

Ant
Ant
1 year ago
Reply to  Ant

Sorry, my dumb *** thought it didn’t post the first time and I posted the same thing twice. Why can’t we remove comments, eh

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago

TVORCHI is not bad but I think KRUTb and Jerry Heil would have been better choices, by far.

Toby
Toby
1 year ago

Wasn’t my favourite going in but I have to admit the staging was the best of the night. Happy for them and hope they do well at Eurovision

Alfie28
Alfie28
1 year ago

I am amazed by the complaining that goes on in these comments. Those of you who are worried about Ukraine winning again or not winning again need to get a life. It’s a TV show song contest, nothing else. Sit back and, seriously, RELAX (and stop b!tching)

Zenellie
Zenellie
1 year ago
Reply to  Alfie28

Dude stfu who are you to tell people that they can’t have an opinion.

Kevan1994
Kevan1994
1 year ago

Regardless of whether you had a favourite or not, it’s pretty nice when the Top 3 songs were Top 3 in both jury and audience voting. The winner was 2nd with jury and 1st with audience at home. And other favourites got respect from both the jury and audience as well. I wasn’t sure what song would win but it’s nice to get a pleasant surprise here and again to show you that there’s always more than one good song in a selection. As major fans we often build up one song and tear down another, but it’s in moments… Read more »