It feels like a lifetime ago. Honestly, it does. Remember when Dima Bilan was sliding across the ice in Belgrade with a Stradivarius violin wailing in the background? Or when those adorable grandmothers from Buranovo were baking literal bread on a rotating stage? Russia and the Eurovision Song Contest used to be a match made in kitschy, high-budget heaven.
Now? It's a ghost town.
The relationship between Moscow and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) didn't just hit a speed bump; it drove off a cliff. Since 2022, Russia has been persona non grata in the world's biggest musical party. But to understand why the Russia Eurovision Song Contest saga ended in such a bitter divorce, you have to look past the headlines of the invasion of Ukraine. This was a slow-motion train wreck decades in the making.
The Glory Days and the "Believing" Era
Russia didn't just participate in Eurovision; they tried to own it. After a somewhat rocky debut in 1994, they realized that this contest was a massive soft-power tool. They started sending the heavy hitters. We’re talking Alla Pugacheva, the undisputed queen of Soviet pop, and t.A.T.u., the "fake-lesbian" duo that had the whole world talking in 2003.
It worked.
Between 2000 and 2016, Russia was arguably the most successful country in the competition. They were constantly in the top five.
- 2000: Alsou takes 2nd with "Solo."
- 2006: Dima Bilan comes 2nd with "Never Let You Go."
- 2008: Bilan finally wins it all with "Believe."
- 2012: Buranovskiye Babushki (the grannies) take 2nd.
- 2015: Polina Gagarina comes 2nd with "A Million Voices."
That 2008 win was a huge deal. It brought the contest to Moscow in 2009, and they spared no expense. They spent roughly $42 million—a record at the time—to show the world that Russia was a modern, glittering superpower. The stage used a massive chunk of the world’s available LED screens. It was peak Eurovision excess.
When the Music Got Political
You can’t talk about the Russia Eurovision Song Contest history without talking about Ukraine. The two were basically the "toxic exes" of the green room.
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The vibes soured fast after the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Suddenly, Russian acts were getting booed. Like, loudly. In 2014, the Tolmachevy Sisters (who were literally teenagers) got heckled just for being Russian. In 2015, Polina Gagarina was visibly crying backstage because the crowd was so hostile. The EBU even had to install "anti-booing" technology—essentially sound filters—to hide the crowd's reaction during the live broadcast.
Then came 2016. Sergey Lazarev won the public vote with "You Are the Only One." He had the best staging. He had the catchy hook. But the professional juries hated it, and he ended up 3rd. Who won? Ukraine’s Jamala with a song called "1944," which was about the deportation of Crimean Tatars. Russia was furious. They called it a "political" win.
The Yulia Samoylova Incident
Things got weirder in 2017. Russia picked Yulia Samoylova, a talented singer who uses a wheelchair. The contest was being held in Kyiv. Ukraine banned her from entering the country because she had performed in Crimea after the annexation.
Russia refused to change their singer. Ukraine refused to budge. Russia ended up withdrawing entirely. It was a mess.
The Final Breakup: February 2022
When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, the EBU was in a tight spot. At first, they said Russia could still come. They claimed Eurovision was "non-political."
That lasted about 24 hours.
Broadcasters from Finland, Sweden, and the Baltics basically told the EBU: "If Russia stays, we leave." By February 25, the EBU kicked Russia out of the 2022 contest, stating their presence would "bring the competition into disrepute."
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In response, Russia’s state broadcasters (Channel One and VGTRK) didn't just quit the contest—they suspended their membership in the EBU entirely. This was the "nuclear option." Without EBU membership, you can't participate in Eurovision. Period. As of 2026, those memberships are still suspended indefinitely.
The Rise of "Intervision" (The Reboot No One Asked For?)
So, what does a country do when it’s banned from the world's biggest karaoke night? It builds its own.
In late 2025, Russia officially revived "Intervision." For the Gen Z readers, Intervision was the Soviet-era rival to Eurovision that ran in the 70s. The 2025 version, held in Moscow at the Live Arena, was meant to be a showcase of "traditional values."
Basically, it was "Eurovision without the drag queens."
The Russian government pitched it as a global alternative, inviting "friendly" countries. The reality was a bit more complicated. While officials claimed billions of people watched, the actual numbers were... let's say, debated.
- Participants: Mostly BRICS and CIS nations (think Uzbekistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan).
- The US Entry: There was a bizarre attempt to involve an American R&B singer named B. Howard, but he pulled out at the last minute citing "family reasons."
- The Vassy Drama: An Australian-born singer representing the US also withdrew, with Russian officials blaming "unprecedented political pressure" from the West.
The winner of the first revived Intervision? It didn't really matter. The contest felt more like a political summit than a music festival. Even Shaman, the ultra-patriotic Russian star, performed but then "voluntarily" removed himself from the ranking.
Is a Return Possible?
People ask this a lot. "Will Russia ever come back to Eurovision?"
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Under the current circumstances? No.
The EBU's rules are pretty rigid. To get back in, Russia would need to re-apply for EBU membership. That requires showing a commitment to "public service values" and media independence. Given that the Russian state currently controls almost all media output, that’s a tall order.
Plus, there's the audience. Eurovision fans have long memories. Even if the war ended tomorrow, the reception for a Russian act in a Western European arena would likely be incredibly tense.
What You Should Know Moving Forward
If you're a fan of the music, the Russia Eurovision Song Contest era is effectively a closed chapter for now. You won't see them in the 2026 lineup, and likely not for many years after.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Archives: If you want to see what made Russia a powerhouse, go back and watch Sergey Lazarev’s 2016 performance or Polina Gagarina’s 2015 set. The staging was objectively world-class.
- Watch the Spin-offs: If you’re curious about how Russia is filling the void, look for clips of "Intervision" on VK. It’s a fascinating look at how culture is being used as a geopolitical wedge.
- Follow the Artists: Many former Russian Eurovision stars (like Little Big or Manizha) have actually left Russia or spoken out against the current situation. Their music is still out there, just not under the state banner.
The contest is smaller without Russia's massive budget and televote power, but for many in Europe, it's also a lot less complicated. The glitter is still there—it’s just reflecting a different world now.