It has now been over just two weeks since Kalush Orchestra delivered Ukraine’s third Eurovision victory with “Stefania.” Last week, a video made its way around social media, featuring the frontman of the Ukrainian band. In the video, Oleh Psiuk explained how he intended to auction the band’s iconic Eurovision microphone trophy, with the funds going to support the Ukrainian war effort.

Today at a charity concert marathon called “Save Ukraine – #StopWar” in Berlin, Psiuk was able to auction off the 2022 Eurovision winner’s trophy and his iconic pink hat for “$900,000”. Assuming those are U.S. dollars, that equates to approximately 26.5 million Ukrainian hryvnia, €838,355 or £712,640!

Keeping with his promise, the post from Suspilne, the Ukrainian Eurovision broadcaster, explains that this money will go towards obtaining a PD-2 drone complex for the Ukrainian army. This is a a ready-to-fly versatile modular solution designed for various missions across a wide geographic range. Missions can be used to gather intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support and can even include cargo delivery capabilities. As the name implies, the drones allow missions to be completed unmanned.

Meanwhile, Kalush Orchestra will receive another trophy. According to eurovision.tv, the trophy makers are planning on making the band another one.

Reactions to the sale of the winner’s trophy have been easy to find all over social media since the announcement last week and, as one would suspect, range in complete support to complete opposition of the trophy’s sale. What do you think? Let us know below or on our socials @escbubble ! You can also relive the moment when Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision below!