An acclaimed Russian ballet dancer has died aged 39 after reportedly falling off a balcony.
Vladimir Shklyarov, one of the world’s top male ballet stars, died on Saturday night, according to the Mariinsky Theatre, where he was a principal dancer.
The St Petersburg theatre said: “It is with profound sadness that the Mariinsky Theatre announces the untimely passing of principal dancer Vladimir Shklyarov.
“Shklyarov, a beloved artist and audience favourite, died tragically on 16 November.
“His loss is deeply felt by the entire Mariinsky family and the wider ballet world.”
The Mariinsky Theatre told Sky News Shklyarov had a back injury at the time, and was due to have “complicated spinal surgery” on Monday 18 November. He was “taking serious pain medication”.
A spokesperson for the theatre was reported in Russian media at the weekend as saying he had fallen from the fifth floor of a building.
Dancers have been paying tribute to Shklyarov, who was married to fellow company dancer Maria Shklyarov, with whom he had two children.
Former ballerina Irina Bartnovskaya said Shklyarov had been at home, on pain relief, preparing for foot surgery at the time of his death.
In a post on Telegram, she continued: “He went out onto the balcony to get some air and smoke, lost his balance (a very narrow balcony) and fell down (from the 5th floor).
“Stupid, unbearable accident.”
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Diana Vishneva, a ballerina at the Mariinsky Theatre, was also among those paying tribute.
She said: “This tragedy brings only tears and sadness.”
According to state-run news group RIA Novosti, an investigation has been launched into the death.
The outlet also said that the preliminary cause of death was believed to be an accident.