You're reading: Miss Ukraine speaks of war at Miss Universe, becomes second runner-up

Ukrainian model Diana Harkusha, 19, was named second runner-up in the Miss Universe 2015 beauty pageant on Jan. 25 in Miami. On stage at the pageant, she spoke of Russia's war against Ukraine and the support needed by its army and people. 

“Now we have a very difficult situation in our country,” she said on stage, answering to a jury question about what her country needs most right now. “So the most important contribution would be support to our army and our people.”

The audience burst into applause in reaction to her words.

It wasn’t her only effort to draw attention to Ukraine’s ongoing military conflict.

For the National Costume Show, Harkusha wore a garment called “War Bride.” A dress of dark-red silk and black chiffon was cut out up to her waist, and complemented with a crown of thorns and a black veil that touched the floor. The look was developed by Ukrainian designer Liudmyla Bushynska, founder of Ruta fashion brand. Presenting it onstage, Harkusha put her hands together in a praying gesture, imitating a mourning look.

This picture provided by the Miss Universe Organization shows Diana Harkusha, Miss Ukraine 2014, as she debuts her National Costume during the Miss Universe National Costume Show.

But the shadow that the Ukrainian armed conflict cast at the pageant didn’t stop at that. According to a CNN report, the 2015 Miss Universe was the first pageant when contestants from Ukraine and Russia didn’t get a shared room. 

Harkusha made it to the final trio picked among 88 contestants, but then lost to Miss Colombia Paulina Vega, who took home the crown, and first runner-up Miss USA Nia Sanchez.

Miss Colombia Paulina Vega, Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha and Miss USA Nia Sanchez onstage during The 63rd Annual Miss Universe Pageant at Florida International University on January 25, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images/AFP)

Kharkiv-born model Diana Harkusha was the first runner-up in Miss Ukraine Universe pageant. In November 2014 the winner, Anna Andres, declined her title for personal reasons that she didn’t disclose, and Harkusha took her place.

While Harkusha works as a model, she is also a third-year student of the Yaroslav Mudriy Law Academy in Kharkiv.

At the pageant in Miami, Harkusha’s stage looks were dominated with red color. For the evening gown contest she wore a long red sparkly dress and had her hair styled in a classic updo.

The national costume contest allowed a liberal interpretation of a folk costume. The highlight of the contest was a hockey-themed look of Miss Canada. She wore a peacock tail of hockey clubs and a score board on her head.

Ukraine’s Harkusha chronicled the preparations for the show in her Instagram, posting photos from the rehearsals and selfies with other contestants.