Overview

• The live final began at Live Arena with an opening performance by Dima Bilan and Polina Gagarina, as 23 countries compete and Russia’s Shaman is slated to perform ninth with a song by Maxim Fadeev.
• Channel One and VK Video are broadcasting the event in Russia, with international carriage handled by local broadcasters.
• President Vladimir Putin addressed participants by video, expressing confidence the contest will become widely popular and wishing them strong audience support.
• Security services are guarding the area around the venue as crowds arrive, with reporters describing the situation as calm.
• Inside the hall, spectators sang Russian songs including the national anthem, while juror Igor Matvienko highlighted a mission of “deglobalization” and said public voting could be considered in future editions.