Ukraine has officially unveiled the jury panel for Vidbir 2026, as preparations continue for the country’s Eurovision selection show for the next week.
A jury with Eurovision experience
This year’s jury brings together artists, producers, and creatives with strong links to Eurovision and the Ukrainian music industry.
Among the names announced is Ruslana, who famously won the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 and remains one of Ukraine’s most iconic Eurovision figures. She is joined by Zlata Ognevich, who represented Ukraine in 2013, finishing third in Malmö. Completing the panel are composer and performer Yevhen Filatov, media executive Vitaliy Drozdov, and acclaimed director and choreographer Konstantin Tomilchenko, whose work has shaped numerous high-profile stage productions.
During Vidbir 2026, the jury will evaluate the competing songs and live performances, awarding points that will be combined with the public televote to determine the overall winner.
Ukraine has consistently relied on a balanced jury-public system, aiming to select entries that combine artistic quality with strong Eurovision appeal.
Winning a ticket by donation
Also, Suspline made a post on their socials medias that by donating to the collection from Suspilny and Superhuman for prosthetics for veterans, you will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win tickets to attend the live final of Vidbir.
Competing acts
| Order | Artist | Entry (Translation) |
| 1 | Valeriya Force | “Open Our Hearts“ |
| 2 | MOLODI | “Legends“ |
| 3 | Monokate | “TYT” (Here) |
| 4 | The Elliens | “Crawling Whispers” |
| 5 | LAUD | “Lightkeeper“ |
| 6 | LELÉKA | “Ridnym“ (To Relatives) |
| 7 | Mr. Vel | “Do or Done“ |
| 8 | KHAYAT | “Hertsy“ |
| 9 | Jerry Heil | “Catharticus (Prayer)“ |
| 10 | ShchukaRyba | “Moia Zemlia“ (My Land) |
The winner of the selection is set to represent Ukraine in Vienna on the 2nd Half of the 2nd Semi-Final on May 14.
Ukraine’s Eurovision journey
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country has scored nine top-five placements, with an extra four top-ten finishes. Ukraine won the Contest three times – in 2004, 2016 and 2022 respectively. Ukraine made history by being the first ex-Soviet country to win the Contest more than once.
In 2025, Ziferblat represented Ukraine in Basel with their song “Bird of Pray”. The band finished in 9th place, scoring 218 points – of which 60 points came from the jury, whilst the remaining 158 points came from the televote.
Do you like the new jury? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News Source: Suspilne
Photo Credit: Suspilne
Rory Gannon