Former Miss Ukraine 'Clarifies' After Photos of Her Holding Arms Go Viral

Anastasiia Lenna clarified that photos of her holding arms were meant to "inspire" people to join the military.

Anastasiia Lenna, former Miss Ukraine and beauty queen.

(Photo: Anastasiia Lenna, Instagram)

Former Miss Ukraine Anastasiia Lenna clarified through an Instagram post that photos of her holding arms were meant to "inspire" people to join the military to fight against Russia.

On 27 February she wrote: "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 [sic]."

Airsoft is a game where mock weapons are used to eliminate opposition players.

Lenna, who was also Ukraine's representative in the 2015 Miss Grand International beauty contest, had previously said that she wanted to answer the call to defend her country, according to her official handle.

Vocal on Instagram

Vocal on Instagram, she has repeatedly asked her fans and followers to stand up against the military action by Russia. She has also been sharing stories of her, captioned "training."

"Training. The invaders will die on our land. All world see this," she had written in one of her stories.

"Please, share more information about this situation. Support Ukraine. Stop Russian aggression. You can help us. Anyone who wants to join the defense of security in Europe and the world can come and stand side by side with Ukraine against the invaders of the 21 century."

Anastasiia Lenna on Instagram

(Photo: Anastasiia Lenna, Instagram)

Instagram snip.

(Photo: Anastasiia Lenna, Instagram)

Instagram snip.

Praise for President Zelenksyy

In a post that she had shared on Saturday, 26 February, Lenna called President Zelenskyy a true leader and wrote:

"Everyone who crosses the Ukrainian border with the intent to invade will be killed!"

Anastasiia Lenna, according to WION

A management and marketing graduate from the Slavistik University in Kyiv, Lenna had worked in Turkey as a Public Relations Manager. She knows five different languages and had worked as a translator as well.

(Editor's Note: An earlier version of the story incorrectly stated that Anastasiia Lenna was training to fight Russia. The error is regretted.)