The Province

Bono gives `freedom' concert in Kyiv station

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KYIV — Irish rock group U2's frontman Bono and his bandmate The Edge performed a 40-minute concert in a metro station in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Sunday and praised Ukrainians fighting for their freedom from Russia.

“Your president leads the world in the cause of freedom right now ... The people of Ukraine are not just fighting for your own freedom, you're fighting for all of us who love freedom,” Bono told a crowd of up to 100 gathered inside the Khreshchat­yk metro station. He was referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, pressing towards Kyiv before withdrawin­g its forces from near the capital at the end of March to concentrat­e its firepower on eastern Ukraine.

Some life has returned to Kyiv since then, even though air raid sirens sound regularly.

Bono rallied the crowd between songs during his performanc­e.

“This evening, 8th of May, shots will ring out in the Ukraine sky, but you'll be free at last. They can take your lives, but they can never take your pride,” he said.

 ?? OGIRENKO/REUTERS VALENTYN ?? Bono, with Ukrainian serviceman and frontman of the Antytila band Taras Topolia, sings inside a subway station.
OGIRENKO/REUTERS VALENTYN Bono, with Ukrainian serviceman and frontman of the Antytila band Taras Topolia, sings inside a subway station.

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