Overview

• The contest begins Saturday in Moscow with performers from 23 countries, including China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Belarus and several Gulf and Latin American states.
• U.S.-born singer Brandon Howard withdrew at the last minute citing family reasons, and Australian-born artist Vassy will represent the United States in his place.
• Organisers say a jury of national representatives, not a public vote, will pick the winner, with a 30 million rouble prize at stake.
• Russian officials promote the event as highlighting culture and spiritual traditions, with Russia’s pro-war singer Shaman performing the host country’s entry.
• Kyiv has denounced the show as hostile propaganda, and local media have reported efforts to bolster audience numbers with paid extras posing as foreign guests.