The well-known band, which competed with singer Jamala for the chance to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2016, The Hardkiss, became the recipient of the audience award at the annual Yuna competition yesterday. The musicians were so well-liked by the Ukrainian audience that they received the highest number of votes for the group.

«Приз зрительских симпатий Yuna и Нового канала!
Это ваша победа! А вы - наша награда! Наши любимая The Hardkiss family! Kiss!» (The Yuna and Novy Kanal Audience Award! This is your victory! And you are our reward! Our beloved The Hardkiss family! Kiss!), the happy musicians wrote on the group's official page.

The band's lead vocalist, Yulia, was not present at the ceremony; the young mother fell ill and was forced to stay home. Shortly before the ceremony, the woman spoke up in defence of Jamala, who had been subjected to a storm of criticism following the Eurovision selection.