Contest History
Their debut was in the 1994 contest after Russia became a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). In 2000, 2006 and 2012 Russia came second in the contest with Alsou's song "Solo", Dima Bilan's "Never Let You Go" and Buranovskiye Babushki with "Party for Everybody" song, respectively. In both 2003 and 2007, Russia placed 3rd, with t.A.T.u.'s "Ne Ver', Ne Boysia" and Serebro's "Song #1."
Since the introduction of the semi-finals, Russia is, along with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Greece, Romania and Ukraine, one of the five countries left that has never missed a final. Azerbaijan has also never missed a final, but due to the fact Azerbaijan debuted after the semi-final introduction, Azerbaijan is not counted as one of these countries.
Russia won their first Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, when Dima Bilan, participating for the second time in the contest, won with the song "Believe", bringing the contest to Russia for 2009.
Russia was the most successful country in Eurovision in 2000-2009, with one win, two second places, and two third places. However, in 2010 they finished 11th, and in 2011 - 16th, which was the worst place for Russia in the last 16 years. Interest in the competition fell, but in 2012 Buranovskiye Babushki stayed in the second place, increasing Russia's interest in the show.
Read more about this topic: Russia In The Eurovision Song Contest