Former Miss Grand Ukraine Speaks Out Against Russian Invasion

It seems that a former Miss Grand Ukraine is now taking up arms as her home country fends off an invasion from Russia.

Anastasia Lenna, who won Ukraine’s 2015 Miss Grand International beauty contest, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a photo of her strapped with a gun, which she hashtagged, “#standwithukraine” and “#handsoffukraine.”

According to the New York Post, she’s been sharing a lot of information to her Instagram Story since Russia invaded Ukraine on Wednesday, where she asks for support and donations to the Ukrainian armed forces. At one point, she also reportedly called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “a true and strong leader.”

Lenna has shared images of her brandishing guns before, though it looks more like for sport in those posts.

Lenna graduated from Slavistik University in Kyiv, Ukraine with a marketing and management degree. At one time, she was a model and a public relations manager in Turkey. She’s also previously worked as a translator and speaks five languages.

On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin said Russia has launched a “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine. At around the same time, explosions were reported around Kramatorsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa. He explained that the Kremlin’s goal is the “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine and argued that “decisive, swift action” is necessary.

Joe Biden later called Russia’s actions “premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.” He continued, “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.”