As it was announced a few weeks ago, the Russian singer and withdrawn 2017 Eurovision representative, Julia Samoylova performed yesterday on 9 May in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, as part of the celebrations for the Crimean Victory Day.

That day commemorates the Soviet Union’s defeat to Nazi Germany, which is considered as a beginning for the end of World War II.

A Eurovision participation that never happened

The Russian broadcaster Channel One chose Julia Samoylova to be their representative in Eurovision 2017. However, the Ukrainian authorities punished her with a 3-year ban from entering Ukraine, as she had entered Crimea via Russia in 2015, something illegal according to the Ukrainian law. The embargo to Samoylova led to a withdrawal of Russia from the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest. The Russian singer was set to perform during the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, appearing third.

Amongst the songs she performed, she also sung the 2007 winning entry Molitva by Marija Šerifović. You may watch highlights from her performance here:

The Russian broadcaster has announced that the singer is going to represent them in 2018, wherever the contest takes place.