Antytila, a Ukrainian rock band, has released a new song with Ed Sheeran, which was partially recorded and shot on the front lines of the battle with Russia. After Russian armies seized their country over two months ago, members of Antytila, one of Ukraine’s largest musical acts, were compelled to quit working as musicians and join the military. And after an exchange on TikTok in March, in which the band asked Ed Sheeran, 31, for a live broadcast at the Concert for Ukraine, which was broadcasted on March 29 on ITV, the band asked Ed Sheeran, 31, for a live broadcast at the Concert for Ukraine, which was televised on March 29 on ITV. Lead singer Taras Topolya, 34, said in the video to the British popstar:

‘Our performances gather at stadiums in peace time, but the conflict has changed our lives, and now we are fighting with firearms against the Russian occupiers. We heard about your charity performance for Ukraine, which will be held in Birmingham today, and we’ll offer to make a live broadcast between Kyiv and Birmingham, with Antytila joining the show remotely. We are not frightened to play under the bombs,’ says our band, which will perform in Kyiv, a city that has not surrendered and will never succumb to Russian occupiers. We want to show that Ukraine is powerful and independent through music. We shall battle and sing our way to triumph in front of the entire world.’

Despite the fact that the Ukrainian band was not on the bill for the event, they teamed with Ed Sheeran on a track that was released on Monday, with earnings going to support Ukraine’s people.

The concert’s organisers, which included Ed Sheeran himself, turned down the opportunity to perform live from Kyiv owing to the rock band’s military ties. This is why Ed Sheeran’s team offered to collaborate on a song called 2step, according to lead singer Topolya. Antytila’s YouTube channel has had over 1.2 million views since the release of the music video. ‘Ed feels that anguish, compassion, and sympathy for Ukrainian people,’ Topolya told the BBC. It has already helped to increase awareness about the situation in Ukraine, and it is continuing to do so. I am delighted that a well-known performer supports Ukrainians.’

Ed Sheeran and his crew, and others recognize that we need help and support to survive and win,’ he continued. And for that, I am quite grateful.’ Emeli Sande, Gregory Porter Snow Patrol, Camila Cabello, Anne Marie, and a slew of other celebrities joined Ed Sheeran in raising £13.4 million for those suffering in the war-torn country. Thousands of people flocked to Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena to see a variety of performances for the telethon, which was hosted by Emma Bunton, Marvin Humes, and Roman Kemp.

In March, Grammy Award-winning singer Ed Sheeran responded to Antytila’s plea on Instagram, writing: ‘Hey guys, I just viewed your video this morning, thank you so much for sharing it.’

First and foremost, I’d like to express my gratitude to all Ukrainians by saying, “I love you,” “I stand with you,” and “I’m so glad to be performing at this charity event next week.”

I’m excited to listen to your music, and I’m sending you tons of love.’