Russia and Ukraine faced off again Saturday, far from their volatile border region, on the glitzy stage of the Eurovision Song Contest. Tensions between the neighbors gave an added piquancy to the competition's grand final in Copenhagen, Denmark, in which both nations were fielding entries. Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March and eastern Ukraine is currently roiled by pro-Russian separatist protests. On the night, however, it was a much talked about 25-year-old from Austria who stole the show. Conchita Wurst, the onstage drag persona of Thomas Neuwirth, was the runaway winner for a performance of the ballad "Rise Like A Phoenix."
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Austria's Conchita Wurst wins Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen
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Russia and Ukraine made it through to final
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Tensions between the country have been high since Moscow's annexation of Crimea
Performing in a skintight dress with long hair and a full beard, Wurst scored 290 points to become @placeholder's first Eurovision winner since 1966.