Girl Power: 'Beauties Under Oath' Pageant Held in Russia

Ahead of International Women’s Day, Russia's female pilots, soldiers, policewomen and law enforcement workers strutted in the spotlight of a beauty pageant instead of pacing across parade squares. The winner is a cadet at Krasnodar's Air Force Academy, Alla Shamkova, while an employee of the Customs Service of Krasnodar Region, Anna Khalepskaya, and a student at Krasnodar’s Presidential Military School, Valentina Byashinova, were named the second and the first runners-up, respectively.

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The winner of the fifth annual ‘Beauties Under Oaths’ competition Alla Shamkova, a student at Krasnodar's Air Force Academy, before the contest.

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The contestants of the fifth annual ‘Beauties Under Oaths’ competition before the program.

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The contestant of the fifth annual ‘Beauties Under Oaths’ competition before the program.

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The contestants of the fifth annual ‘Beauties Under Oaths' competition preparing for the pageant in Krasnodar.

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Contestants in the fifth annual ‘Beauties Under Oaths’ competition take the stage in Krasnodar to introduce themselves.

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Judges at the fifth annual ‘Beauties Under Oaths’ competition before the pageant in Krasnodar.

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The winner of the fifth annual ‘Beauties Under Oaths’ competition, Alla Shmakova, a student at Krasnodar's Air Force Academy, in an evening gown.

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The contestants of the fifth annual ‘Beauties Under Oaths’ competition getting ready for the pageant in Krasnodar.

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Anna Khalepskaya (L), the second runner-up, the Customs Service of Krasnodar Region; Valentina Byashinova (C), the first runner-up, Krasnodar’s Presidential Military School; Alla Shamkova(R), the winner, a cadet of Krasnodar's Air Force Academy.

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