From the beauty pageants to the battlefield, former Miss Ukraine Anastasia Lena found herself in an unexpected confrontation. Many news outlets and media channels circulated images of Anastasia Lena holding a weapon, claiming she has joined the defense of her country amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis. However, upon investigation, this claim is misleading, as the circulated pictures of Anastasia Lena predate the announcement of the Russian-Ukrainian war and were taken while she was participating in her favorite sport, airsoft.
Airsoft is a team game where participants eliminate opponents by hitting them with plastic or colored projectiles, played with fake guns and pistols. Contrary to the narratives promoted by many media platforms, the former Miss Ukraine did not join the army, a fact she confirmed herself through a post on her Instagram account. The images of her holding a weapon were published on February 22, 2022, two days before the war began.
Anastasia Lena posted a video on Instagram about the war in Ukraine, stating: "Due to the current situation, I want to speak! I am not military; I am just an ordinary woman, like all the people in my country. I appreciate all the attention and support for my country and the Ukrainian people who are fighting against Russian aggression." She added that all the images in her profile were intended to inspire people, declaring, "I am not doing any propaganda, except to show the strength of Ukrainian women. I have been an airsoft player for years; you can Google to learn what airsoft means."
In her message, the former Miss Ukraine called for an end to the ongoing war, saying: "I am speaking to everyone in the world and asking everyone to stop the war in Ukraine." On September 19, 2021, former Miss Ukraine Anastasia Lena shared photos of her participation in an airsoft game, during a match simulating the war in Syria, commenting: "Annual rituals that are impossible to live without."
