Sunday 15 May 2022 12:16 PM Russians scrawl chilling messages onto bombs targeting Mariupol after Ukraine ... trends now
Chilling images have emerged of cruel taunts scrawled on the side of Russian bombs destined for Mariupol in the wake of Ukraine's success at the Eurovision song contest last night.
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, who stormed to victory having delivered a rousing folk-rap rendition of their song 'Stefania', made an impassioned plea during their winners' speech calling on Europe to provide further aid and evacuate the soldiers still trapped in the southern port city's Azovstal steel works.
'I ask all of you, please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal, right now,' said the band's frontman Oleh Psiuk.
But this morning, pictures posted on Telegram by pro-Kremlin and pro-war channel FighterBomber showed Russian shells emblazoned with messages mocking the band's call for help, hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to hold Eurovision in Mariupol next year.
'Just as you asked for, Kalusha! For Azovstal,' the messages read.
'#Eurovision2022. I heard the call to f*** up Azov. Help Mariupol. Help Mariupol right now.'
Petr Andryushchenko, adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, shared the images of the Russian bombs on his own Telegram channel, where he condemned Putin's forces for having 'lost their humanity'.
The OFAB 250-270 bombs on which the taunts were written are high explosive fragmentation devices designed to destroy military-industrial facilities, armoured vehicles and large groups of soldiers by spraying a torrent of armour piercing shrapnel over a large area.
'They are just inhuman... they have lost anything remotely similar to humanism and humanity,' the adviser declared.
'This is the reaction of the Russian military to our victory at Eurovision 2022... In Russia, a century of repentance will follow the losses.'
Russia continued its brutal bombardment of Azovstal in the early hours of the morning, dropping what appeared to be devastating incendiary explosives on the already heavily damaged plant where Ukrainian soldiers have been making a final stand against Putin's onslaught.
Chilling images have emerged of cruel taunts scrawled on the side of Russian bombs destined for Mariupol in the wake of Ukraine's success at the Eurovision song contest last night. 'Just as you asked for, Kalusha! For Azovstal,' the message reads - a mocking retort to Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra's plea for further aid in Ukraine and for the evacuation of Ukrainian fighters from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol
'#Eurovision2022. I heard the call to f*** up Azov,' is written on the side of a Russian OFAB 250-270 high explosive fragmentation bomb destined to be dropped on the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol
Petr Andryushchenko, adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, shared the images of the Russian bombs on his own Telegram channel, where he condemned Putin's forces for having 'lost their humanity'. 'They are just inhuman... they have lost anything remotely similar to humanism and humanity... This is the reaction of the Russian military to our victory at Eurovision 2022... In Russia, a century of repentance will follow the losses,' he said.
Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine stand on the stage after winning the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Palaolimpico arena, in Turin, Italy
Members of the band 'Kalush Orchestra' pose onstage with the winner's trophy and Ukraine's flags after winning on behalf of Ukraine the Eurovision Song contest 2022 on May 14, 2022 at the Pala Alpitour venue in Turin
Pictured: Russian Incendiary munitions fall over the vast Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, in a terrifying video posted to social media on Sunday showing the scale of the damage that has been done to the vast coastal complex
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra scored a resounding victory in last night's Eurovision song contest, finishing on 631 points while the UK came in a surprising second with 466 points. Spain finished third with 459 with Sweden fourth on 438.
Britain surprisingly topped the jury vote and led for most of the night before Ukraine were awarded a mammoth 439 points in the public vote.
Zelensky was quick to hail the win and even vowed to hold next year's competition in Mariupol, despite much of the city having been reduced to rubble amid Russia's invasion.
'Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe. Next year Ukraine will host Eurovision,' he said.
'For the third time in its history and, I believe, not the last. We will do our best to one day host the participants and guests of Eurovision in Ukrainian Mariupol. Free, peaceful, rebuilt.
'I thank the Kalush Orchestra for this victory and everyone who gave us your votes. I am sure that the sound of victory in the battle with the enemy is not far off. Glory to Ukraine.'
Britain, a staunch ally of Zelensky's Ukraine during the Russian invasion, almost pulled off a shock win after leading for most of the night before being pipped at the end.
In contrast, Germany and France, whose leaders have come under criticism for not being tough enough on Russia's aggression, were the two last placed nations in this year's contest.
Russia was excluded this year after its invasion of Ukraine, a move organizers said was meant to keep politics out of the contest that promotes diversity and friendship among nations.
Kalush Orchestra delivered an emotional rendition of their song Stefania, which has become a war anthem for Ukraine during the invasion.
Receiving the coveted Eurovision trophy, the band said: 'Thank you for supporting Ukraine. This victory is for every Ukrainian. Slava Ukraini.'
Despite missing out on a stunning win, Britain's Sam Ryder still achieved the UK's best result for 20 years as he finished second.
Graham Norton, who presented the contest on BBC One, said: 'This is a red letter moment. I am so happy for him, for the UK and for the BBC who have worked so hard to turn our fortunes.'
