Ukraine's newly chosen Eurovision Song Contest act has been suspended, amid claims she travelled to the Russian-controlled Crimea in 2015, international and local media report.

Alina Pash faced scrutiny from Ukraine's national broadcaster for the trip she was said to have made seven years ago. Russia seized control of the peninsula in 2014, with travel to the area - while discouraged to Ukrainians - only allowed through official checkpoints in Ukraine.

Pash has provided official documentation that proves that she did not enter Crimea via Russia, which is illegal under Ukrainian law, but that is also now having to be verified with border authorities.

The controversy comes just days after Pash won the national selection with her track, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, which is said to be about the country's history.

On February 16, the organizing committee of the national selection for Eurovision 2022 decided to stop the participation of Alina Pash. The singer will not represent Ukraine at Eurovision Song Contest 2022. This is stated in an official statement on the corporate website of Suspilne.

The Rules of National Selection for Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 stipulate that if Suspilne establishes the fact of submission of inaccurate information or concealment of information or other significant circumstances about the participant, Suspilne has the right to terminate participation in the Selection at any time.

The reason for such a decision by the Organizing Committee was the official response of the State Border Guard Service, dated February 16, regarding the inaccuracy of the information provided to Suspilne by Pash. The singer agreed with this decision.

On February 12, singer Alina Pash won the final of the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. She received 7 points from the audience and 8 points from the jury. The second and third places in the final of the national selection were taken by Kalush Orchestra and Wellboy. Kalush Orchestra also questioned the results of the vote, accusing Suspilne of manipulations.