Over the weekend in Ukraine's breakaway republic of Donetsk, self-proclaimed authorities celebrated International Women's Day by holding a beauty pageant. The contestants were all female soldiers fighting with pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. Presenting portraits of themselves, and modeling in both dresses and military fatigues, the women were later awarded flowers and gifts.
Beauty in the Ceasefire: A Pageant in Donetsk
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Read moreA Russian-backed rebel fighter watches as colleagues perform during a beauty contest involving women from the main separatist battalions in Donetsk, Ukraine, on March 7, 2015. Self-proclaimed authorities in the rebel-held Donetsk held a beauty pageant for female rebel fighters on the eve of March 8, a women's day widely celebrated throughout the former Soviet Union. #
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Read moreA Russian-backed female rebel fighter holds military boots as she prepares to go on stage during a beauty contest in Donetsk, Ukraine, on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreRussian-backed rebel fighters take part in a beauty contest in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreA Russian-backed rebel fighter's presentation pictures are displayed on screen during a beauty contest in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreA rebel fighter poses for a photographer before taking part in a beauty contest in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreRussian-backed rebel fighters laugh during a beauty contest in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreA woman checks herself in a mirror as child ballerinas warm up before their performance during a beauty contest in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreA woman operating in a combat battalion of the self-proclaimed People Republic of Donetsk models an evening dress during a function in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreFemale soldiers of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic peek through a door during a beauty parade in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreSoldiers of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic take part in a beauty parade to mark International Women's Day on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreRebel fighters pose with the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic during a beauty contest in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreA rebel fighter handles the dress she wore in a beauty contest in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreRebel fighters playfully adjust their uniforms during a beauty contest in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreWomen operating in a combat battalion of the self-proclaimed People Republic of Donetsk (DNR) stand to attention after taking part in a fashion show in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreWomen operating in combat battalions of the self-proclaimed People Republic of Donetsk pose for photographers in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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Read moreFemale soldiers of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic wave backstage, during a beauty parade to mark International Women's Day in Donetsk on March 7, 2015. #
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