The final leg of the 2015 Miss Russia pageant was held on April 18. The 50 most beautiful Russian women gathered at the Barvikha concert hall in Moscow. The Miss Russia crown was awarded to 21-year-old Sofia Nikitchuk from Ekaterinburg.
Sofia Nikitchuk (center), a student of the liberal arts department of the Ural Federal University, won the 2015 Miss Russia national beauty contest. 18-year-old Vladislava Evtushenko from Chita (left) and 21-year-old Anastasia Naidenova from Voronezh got second and third place respectively.
Fifty contestants took part in the 2015 Miss Russia pageant finals. For the first time in the contest’s history, there were girls from Crimea – from Simferopol, Sevastopol and Kerch.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 finalist Evgeniya Puchinskaya (the Republic of Karelia) preparing for her performance.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 finalist Evgeniya Puchinskaya (the Republic of Karelia) preparing for her performance.
After the first round the jury selected 20 participants. After the second round only 10 girls were left. During the final stage of the contest the jury selected three winners.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 finalist Kristina Odintsova (Saratov) preparing for the contest.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 finalist Kristina Odintsova (Saratov) preparing for the contest.
Miss Russia is the most famous and prestigious national beauty pageant in Russia.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 finalists on stage at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 finalists on stage at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
This year, the ceremony’s program has been changed. The length of the final stage was shortened to 1 h 45 min. As a result the performance looked more dynamic and vivid.
Above: Former Miss Universe Oksana Fedorova (center) before the final of the 2015 Miss Russia national beauty contest at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Above: Former Miss Universe Oksana Fedorova (center) before the final of the 2015 Miss Russia national beauty contest at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
During the final show the contestants appeared on stage three times – in bikini, cocktail gowns and full dresses.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 finalists on stage at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 finalists on stage at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
The winner received a prize of three million rubles (nearly $60,000) and a car from sponsors.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 third runner-up Anastasia Naidenova (Voronezh) at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 third runner-up Anastasia Naidenova (Voronezh) at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Sofia Nikitchuk will also represent Russia at the Miss World and Miss Universe contests.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 second runner-up Vladislava Evtushenko (Chita) at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 second runner-up Vladislava Evtushenko (Chita) at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
It is not the first time Sofia Nikitchuk won a beauty pageant. Last year, she was crowned Miss Ekaterinburg.
Above: Miss Russia 2014 Yulia Alipova on stage at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Above: Miss Russia 2014 Yulia Alipova on stage at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Second and third runner-ups will be awarded a grant to study in any country across the world.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 Sofia Nikitchuk (left) at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 Sofia Nikitchuk (left) at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
"I initially knew that I would win the contest. I’m proud of my education. I graduated from art and musical schools. I’m going to graduate from university with honors," Sofia Nikitchuk (right) said.
The girl also said she is going to get another degree after she graduates.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 Sofia Nikitchuk (Ekaterinburg) on stage at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
Above: Miss Russia 2015 Sofia Nikitchuk (Ekaterinburg) on stage at the Barvikha Concert Hall.
