Ukraine: Leléka wins Vidbir 2026 with "Ridnym"
Tonight, Ukraine held their national final for Eurovision 2026. Ten acts took to the stage with their songs, with one rising to the top. It's Leléka with "Ridnym" who takes the Vidbir 2026 crown
Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC held Vidbir 2026 tonight, the national selection process used to determine the Ukrainian representative for Eurovision 2026.
Ten acts were apart of tonight's show, performing their songs with hopes of leaving with the Vidbir crown. When the votes were counted, it became official: Leléka wins with "Ridnym".
"Ridnym" is written by Adama Cefalu, Jakob Hegner, Viktoria Leléka, and Yaroslav Dzhus.
Vidbir 2026
Voting to determine the winner tonight was split evenly between public and jury (50% each).
The jury consisted of five members:
- Zlata Ognevich: Eurovision 2013 (Gravity)
- Ruslana: Eurovision 2004 Winner (Wild Dances)
- Yevhen Filatov: Ukrainian Musician/Composer
- Vitaliy Drozdov: Radio Host
- Kostiantyn Tomilchenko: Choreographer
Tonight's show opened up with Vidbir 2025 winner, Ziferblat performing their song "Bird of Pray", which placed 9th at Eurovision 2025.
In typical national final style, we see a group of wonderful interval acts take to the stage.
It starts off with an energetic performance from Satoshi with "Viva, Moldova!", the Moldovan entry for Eurovision 2026.
Next, the most recent three Junior Eurovision acts for Ukraine performing snippets of their entries:
- Anastasia Dymyd (2023) - "Kvitka"
- Artem Kotenko (2024) - "Hear Me Now"
- Sofia Nersesian (2025) - "Motanka"
Tvorchi (Eurovision 2023) take the stage next to perform their Vidbir 2020 song "Bonfire", while Zlata Ognevich followed up with her song "One Day".
Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala performed her winning entry, "1944" alongside the Ukrianian Radio Symphony Orchestra in a powerful performance.
Leléka will wave Ukraine's flag in Vienna at Eurovision 2026 during Semi Final 2, and looks to continue Ukraine's 100% qualification streak to the Grand Final.
Leléka
Viktoria Korniikova, better known as Leléka, is a 35 year old Ukrainian artist whose work is rooted in emotional storytelling and contemporary Ukrainian pop. Born in Ukraine, but having German roots has shaped her to incorporate those aspects into her music.
She would receive three degrees, first a Bachelor's in Performing Arts/Acting from Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University. Her final two degrees come from Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber in Dresden, Germany where she would obtain a Bachelor's in Jazz Vocals, and a Master's in Composition.
2016 see's the formation of Leléka, a four person folk jazz band based in Berlin alongside Robert Wienröder, Thomas Kolarczyk, and Jakob Hegner. Much success has been seen from winning awards to receiving praise, and creating music that is impactful.
In 2024, Korniikova would launch Donbasgrl, a solo art-pop and electronic music project. Donbasgrl would be selected for Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) in 2025, while headlining the Green Futures stage at the Glastonbury Festival within the same month.
She has developed her artistic identity through songwriting and live performances, focusing on themes of family, belonging and connection. Her music often incorporates modern arrangements with a strong lyrical focus.
Vidbir 2026
Vidbir 2026 was once again the route Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC chose to select their Eurovision representative, the same title used since 2009.
Ten acts performed their songs on stage, with the winner determined by a 50/50 split between public and jury vote. The winner of Vidbir 2026 not only has a special place in Vidbir history, but will also take the stage for Ukraine at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna this upcoming May.
Ukraine in Eurovision
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Out of 20 appearances, Ukraine has:
