The Ukrainian Security Services will be holding anti-terror exercises in Kyiv on April 28 in preparation for Eurovision 2017.
A second round of anti-terror exercises are set to take place this Friday night in the Ukrainian Capital, as the local security services prepare for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Exercises have already been held at the International Exhibition Centre which plays host to this years contest.
The exercise involved Security Services carrying out a response to a scenario in which terrorists had set off a car bomb and then proceeded to take hostages at the venue. The second half of the scenario saw local emergency services have to assist with wounded hostages. While the security services deal with explosives that the terrorists had laid in the building.
Exercises on Friday evening will focus around the Ploshcha Lva Tolstoho Metro Station, the situation will see local police and security services dealing with a terrorist incident and the arrest of armed criminals. The Exercises are part of wider preparations to ensure the safety of visitors and citizens of Kyiv during the Eurovision Song Contest.
A total of 16,000 members of the security services including border force and local police are being drafted in to Kyiv for the contest. These 16,000 personnel will not be deployed only at the venue but across Kyiv for the duration of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
A total of 42 countries are competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Returning to the Eurovision stage are Portugal and Romania who both took a year out from the contest. Bosnia & Herzegovina and Russia have however withdrawn from the contest. Bosnia & Herzegovina has withdrawn due to financial difficulties at the national broadcaster, BHRT. While Russia has withdrawn following Julia Samoilova being banned by Ukrainian Authorities from entering Ukraine. The 62nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is being held on the following dates:
- Semi Final 1 – 9 May
- Semi Final 2 – 11 May
- Final – 13 May
