Former Miss Ukraine stranded in Kyiv makes emotional appeal for help

By SWNS Staff

A former Miss Ukraine beauty queen stranded in Kyiv has made an emotional appeal for help to stop the war ahead of the final of Miss World and paid tribute to the "hero" women of her country.

Journalist Oleksandra Kucherenko has used her platform as a past pageant winner to call upon other nations to help end the conflict in Ukraine.

As beauty queens from across the globe prepared for a glitzy ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oleksandra sent a stark message as her city came under attack.

Addressing her fellow contestants and the competition's worldwide audience, she asked for the world to unite to offer support for victims of the crisis.

She also praised the efforts of Ukrainian women who were bravely staying behind in their war-torn cities and "heroically fighting too".

In a message beamed to the final, Oleksandra, 24, said: "Hello world. I am Oleksandra Kucherenko and I am proud to be Ukrainian.

"Now my beautiful country has become a zone of war, death and pain. Just imagine somebody is trying to steal your home.

"Russia has invaded Ukraine and has launched a full-scale war in the territory of my homeland.

"During these terrible days thousands of civilians have been killed, about 800 children have been injured.

"Our buildings, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, shops have been destroyed.

"Every night we are falling asleep to the sound of air raid sirens.

"And every day we are waking up to the news of more merciless bloodshed on our streets.

"Lots of people have lost their homes, the number of refugees has reached two million.

"While our brave men are struggling at the forefront our women don't stay away.

"They are heroically fighting too as journalists, soldiers, refugee caretakers and as mothers.

"They courageously rescue their children from the bomb attacks and give birth even in shelters.

"Miss World has always supported human rights, democracy, moral principles and world peace.

"Now it should join its global movement to stop this ruthless war that threatens peace in the whole world.

"I appeal to all of the countries to support us, to close the skies above Ukraine and save the world from a nuclear catastrophe.

"Our peace is your peace. Please stop the war."

The 70th Miss World final will be hosted by Peter Andre and will feature a candlelit vigil to show solidarity with the Ukrainian population.

Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World, said: “We must do something, even if it may seem never enough to light one candle, if we all light a candle together we can unite.

"We are asking for everyone in the world to shine their light for Ukraine- post images on all social media.

"A simple image from every person, every family, every community and every country shining their light.

"A billion candles of love and hope, calling for peace and the end of this war.”

The rescheduled event will take place at midnight tonight (Wed) after being cancelled in December when dozens of beauty queens were struck down with Covid.

The current Miss Ukraine Oleksandra Yaremchuk, 22, had previously been in
Puerto Rico last year filming for the 70th show.

But the sales boss, who lists her languages as Ukrainian, English, Russian, will not be returning for the final and remains in Kyiv.

Miss England Rehema Muthamia, 25, said: “The war happening in Ukraine is devastating to see and the suffering of the Ukrainian people is unimaginable.

"My heart goes out to all those affected, including my Miss World Sister Oleksandra Yaremchuk, whom I met and spent a day together for the Miss World Charity golf tournament along with Miss Moldova.

"I hope peace can be restored soon."