Russian singer will compete via satellite

— A Russian singer who was barred from entering Ukraine will be allowed to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev via satellite, competition organizers said Thursday. Ukraine’s security service on Wednesday imposed a three-year entry ban on Russia’s participant Yuliya Samoilova for illegally entering Moscow-annexed Crimea to perform in a 2015 gala concert.

The Geneva-based European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the hugely popular contest, had criticised Kiev’s decision to exclude Samoilova and voiced hope it would be overturned.