No bikinis for Miss Russian Military contest

Army chiefs have slapped a ban on bikini-wearing during the first ever Miss Russian Military beauty contest today.

Nineteen women soldiers are to parade with guns in full military uniform down a catwalk in Moscow, reports local media.

They were then set to strip off for more conventional bikini pictures but military officials have now ruled that they must stay covered up.

Major-general Nikolai Burbyga, senior judge of the Miss Military Beauty Contest, said: "I agree with the decision that female officers should not get undressed. I'd rather keep their bodies a military secret."

The girls were selected from all over Russia, and from different parts of the army including rocket launching units, the air-force and navy.

The winner of the contest will get a crown and be promoted to a higher rank so she can go on tour to promote the work of the Russian armed forces, local media reported.

Read the complete article at Ananova