Russian national  broadcaster, RTR, has confirmed that Russia will participate at the forthcoming 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Italy next year.

Thus Russia joins the list of countries who so far have confirmed their participation at the upcoming Eurovision 2021 edition.

RTR is yet to determine the mechanism it will use to select its Eurovision act and entry for Eurovision 2022. The Rusian broadcaster is set to reveal more details on its Eurovision 2022 project in due time.

Channel 1 and RTR share Eurovision participation

In Russia two national broadcasters are EBU members and thus alternate when participating at the Eurovision Song Contest: Channel 1  has been participating in Eurovision during odd years, whilst RTR (Rossija 1) during even years. But this changed in 2017 when Channel One withdrew from the contest due a ban imposed by Ukrainian authorities barring Yulia Samoylova from entering Ukraine.

Initially 2018 was RTR’s turn to partake in the event, but due to the circumstances the previous year Channel Once competed in Lisbon. In 2019 RTR competed at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.

Channel 1 Russia was set participate in our beloved competition in 2020 with Little Big, but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global outbreak. In 2021 Channel 1 competed at the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam.

Russia in Eurovision

Russia debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 and has won the event once in 2008 with Dima Bilan’s Believe. The country successfully hosted the contest in 2009 in Moscow.

The Russians have enjoyed massive success in the Eurovision Song Contest with 1 victory (2008), 4 2nd placings (2000, 2006, 2012, 2015), 4 3rd placings (2003, 2007, 2016, 2019) and 1 5th placing (2013). The country had never missed a Eurovision final since the introduction of the semifinals in  2004 until 2018 when Julia Samoylova failed to qualify to the Grand Final in Lisbon.

Russia has sent some of its most acclaimed and celebrated artists to the competition: Dima Bilan, Sergey Lazerev, t.A.T.u, Alsou, Polina Gagarina, Alla Pugacheva, Philip Kirkorov, Serebro etc.

Russia has competed 23 times in the contest and has enjoyed great success in the musical festival with 10 top 10 placings including a victory in 2008.

In 2021 Russia held a national final in order to determine its Eurovision act and entry, Manizha stormed to victory with her entry ‘ Russian Woman‘. She went on to represent Russia at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam achieving a 9th place in the Grand Final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-Di9A28e5E