Fact Check: Russian singer banned of entering Ukraine in 2017 due of being in Crimea

Fact Check: "Russian singer banned of entering Ukraine in 2017 due of being in Crimea"

What We Know

In 2017, Ukrainian authorities banned Russian singer Yulia Samoilova from entering Ukraine for three years due to her prior visit to Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. The ban was based on her illegal entry into Crimea directly from Russia, rather than through Ukraine, which is against Ukrainian law (BBC, Wikipedia). Samoilova had confirmed that she performed in Crimea in 2015, which was a key factor in the decision by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to impose the ban (The Guardian, Kyiv Post).

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the Eurovision Song Contest, expressed disappointment over the ban, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in the contest (BBC). Despite attempts by the EBU to negotiate a solution that would allow Samoilova to participate remotely, the Russian broadcaster Channel One rejected the offer, insisting that she perform in Kyiv alongside other contestants (Wikipedia, Independent).

Analysis

The claim that Yulia Samoilova was banned from entering Ukraine in 2017 due to her visit to Crimea is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The BBC, a reputable news organization, confirmed that Samoilova was banned because she had entered Crimea illegally (BBC). The SBU's official statement on March 22, 2017, further corroborates this, as it explicitly stated that her travel to Crimea violated Ukrainian law (Kyiv Post, Wikipedia).

The sources used in this analysis are credible and provide consistent accounts of the events surrounding the ban. The BBC and The Guardian are well-established news outlets known for their journalistic integrity, while the Wikipedia entry provides a comprehensive overview of the context and implications of the ban in relation to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine (BBC, The Guardian, Wikipedia).

However, it is important to note that the situation was politically charged, and the ban was part of a broader context of strained relations between Russia and Ukraine, particularly in the realm of cultural exchanges like the Eurovision Song Contest (Wikipedia).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Yulia Samoilova was banned from entering Ukraine in 2017 due to her visit to Crimea is accurate. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that her prior travel to Crimea, which was deemed illegal by Ukrainian authorities, directly resulted in the three-year ban imposed by the SBU. This decision was rooted in the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly following the annexation of Crimea.

Fact Check: Russian singer banned of entering Ukraine in 2017 due of being in Crimea