Overview

• The live event is set for this evening at the Live Arena west of Moscow with performers from 23 countries.
• Participants skew toward Russia-friendly and BRICS nations, including China, India, South Africa, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Brazil, Cuba and Venezuela.
• Organizers announced late personnel shifts, with U.S. singer Brandon Howard withdrawing and handing his spot to Vassy, and the American jury seat reassigned to Joe Lynn Turner.
• A 23-member jury will determine the winner without public voting, a structure that critics say raises transparency concerns, with a reported top prize of roughly €300,000.
• Russia is represented by Shaman, a Kremlin-aligned star, as officials promise a contest without “perversions,” fueling skepticism that the show will favor the host and struggle to match Eurovision’s legitimacy.