Kyiv - Ukrainians honored their Eurovision Song Contest winners on Sunday, renaming a train route 'Stefania Express', after the song “Stefania”, Ukraine's winning entry, as they hoped for victory in their war with Russia.

The head of the railway service announced that the number 43 train from Kyiv to Ivano-Frankivsk will be renamed the Stefania Express to honour the victory.

Train stations in Kyiv, Kalush and Ivano-Frankivsk will play the song when the train pulls in, he said.

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest in Italy on Saturday with their entry "Stefania", riding a wave of public support to claim an emotional victory that was welcomed by the country's president.

"Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe! Next year Ukraine will host the Eurovision song contest," President Zelenskiy said in an online message.

Ukrainian service members celebrate the winning of the Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine during the final of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at their position in Kyiv region, Ukraine/REUTERS

The band said the song, a fusion of rap with traditional folk music was a tribute to band frontman Oleh Psiuk's mother.

The band also plead at the end of their performance for help in Mariupol and the Azovstal steelworks.

The band published a new music video for the track on Sunday showing Ukrainian servicewomen rescuing children from shelled and ruined towns.

"The victory is very important for Ukraine, especially this year, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Glory to Ukraine!," Psiuk from the band told a news conference, speaking through an interpreter.
-Reuters/AP