Miss Ukraine declares ‘we will win’ fight against Russian invasion

The gun-brandishing beauty queen has condemed Russia for “killing women and children” but is confident “we can stop all this together”.

A beauty queen and former Miss Grand Ukraine traded in her high heels for combat boots to aid her country’s defence against the Russian invasion.

Anastasia Lenna, Ukraine’s 2015 representative in the Miss Grand International beauty contest, became one of the more prominent faces of the conflict after posting stirring messages to her Instagram account.

“Everyone who crosses the Ukrainian border with the intent to invade will be killed!” said one post made in English, accompanied by a photo of armed soldiers blocking a roadway.

Stream the latest news on the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine live & on demand on Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

Anastasia Lenna has reportedly joined the Ukrainian war effort against Russia. Picture: Instagram

Anastasia Lenna was a beauty queen. Picture: Instagram

Another post joked that “Our (Ukraine’s) army is fighting in such a way that NATO should apply for entry into Ukraine.”

She also shared a photo to her 75,000 followers showing soldiers walking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom she called a “a true and strong leader.”

Since the launch of the invasion on Wednesday, the model has shared a string of posts on her Instagram story urging support and soliciting donations to the Ukrainian armed forces.

Anastasia Lenna poses with a gun. Picture: Instagram

Lenna has urged followers to donate to her country’s military. Picture: Instagram

The marketing and management graduate from Slavistik University in Kyiv has posted several photos on her page in the past showing her wielding airsoft guns in full military garb in wooded areas for sport.

But she moved to dispel suggestions she was actually joining the battle on Tuesday, writing:

“I AM NOT A MILITARY, JUST A HUMAN

“Due current situation I want to talk! I am not a military, just a woman, just normal human.

“Just a person, like all people of my country. I am also a airsoft player for years. You can Google what #airsoft means.

“All pictures in my profile to inspire people. I had a normal life just on Wednesday, like millions people.

“I don’t do any propaganda except showing that our woman of Ukraine - strong, confident and powerful.

“I appreciate all attention and support to my country, all people in Ukraine we fight every day against Russian aggression.

“We will win! I was born and live in Kyiv. This is my city.

“Ukraine is my country. On February 24 Russian federation step on our lands and begin to kill civil people, women, children.

“Ukrainian people have no guilt. None of us have any guilt. We are on our lands!

“I speak to all people of the World! Stop war in Ukraine! No people should die! We can stop all this together.

“Share information about situation. Ask @nato to close sky! Help us Ukrainian people to stop Russian aggression.”

Lenna has 144,000 Instagram followers. Picture: Instagram

Lenna in simpler times. Picture: Instagram

Lenna had previously worked as a model and a public relations manager in Turkey, according to her Miss Grand International profile, a whole world away from the violence of the battlefield.

She also speaks five languages and has worked as a translator.

So far, Ukraine’s fierce fighting has withstood the Russian offensive, with no major cities being taken and Russian forces suffering thousands of casualties.

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission