Beauty pageant crowns Miss Russia 2024 (PHOTOS)

Valentina Alekseeva from the Republic of Chuvashia has been declared the most beautiful woman in the country 

A student from the Republic of Chuvashia has taken top prize in this year’s Miss Russia beauty contest. Valentina Alekseeva will go on to represent the country at the global pageant in Mexico.

Valentina Alekseeva crowned Miss Russia 2024 during the awards ceremony of the Miss Russia beauty pageant, Barvikha Luxury Village concert hall outside Moscow, Russia. ©  Sputnik / Kirill Kallinikov

Alekseeva, who is currently enrolled at the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, which is ranked among the top medical high schools in the country, received the gem-encrusted crown from Margarita Golubeva, who won last year’s Miss Russia pageant.

Valentina Alekseeva and Margarita Golubeva at the awards ceremony for the finalists of the Miss Russia beauty pageant, Barvikha Luxury Village concert hall, outside Moscow, Russia. ©  Sputnik / Kirill Kallinikov

The winner also received a cash prize of one million rubles ($10,000).

©  Sputnik / Kirill Kallinikov

The 18-year-old medical student, who enjoys ballet, sports, and a healthy lifestyle, gained entry to the national event by winning a regional beauty contest.

Ulyana Evdokimova, Valentina Alekseeva, and Irina Mironova. © Sputnik / Kirill Kallinikov ©  Sputnik / Kirill Kallinikov

The newly crowned Miss Russia was followed by Irina Mironova from the city of Tolyatti and Ulyana Evdokimova from St. Petersburg, who took second and third place, respectively.

The awards ceremony for the finalists of the 2024 Miss Russia pageant, Barvikha Luxury Village concert hall outside Moscow, Russia. ©  Sputnik / Kirill Kallinikov

The pageant was held in the Barvikha Luxury Village concert hall. Oksana Fedorova, the winner of Miss Russia in 2001 and Miss Universe in 2002, designer Igor Chapurin, and composer Vladimir Matetsky were among the judges at the contest.

©  Sputnik / Kirill Kallinikov

This year, over 85,000 young women applied to participate in the pageant, which has been held since 1993. According to the rules, only unmarried and childless Russian women between the ages of 18 to 23 are eligible to compete.