A world-renownedRussianballet dancer and vocal critic ofVladimir Putin’s invasion ofUkrainewas found dead after he reportedly fell 60ft to hisdemise.
Knewz.comhas learned that different reports offered contradicting details about the circumstances that led to the abrupt death.
Vladimir Shklyarov, the 39-year-oldballetsensation, was a principal with the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre and had performed at the Metropolitan Opera inNew Yorkand the Royal Opera House inLondon.
He also regularly performed in Munich at the invitation of the Russian President’s son-in-law Igor Zelensky who was himself the former head of the Bavarian State Ballet.
One of the reports about the death of the ballet star believed to have been from an unconfirmedlaw enforcementsource mentioned that the noted performer was locked into his apartment by his ex-wife Maria Shirinkina, also a ballerina.
The report suggests that the ballet star had adrugandalcohol abuseproblem, as it says the recentlydivorcedwife reportedly locked Shklyarov in the apartment in order to prevent him from buying narcotics.
According to the report, the 39-year-old was trying to escape the apartment when he accidentally died.
It is worth noting that his allegedaddictionissues were previously unknown to the public, and there are claims that this version of the incident could be “malicious and inaccurate.”
Another report regarding the incident mentioned that he was “leaping between” two fifth-floor balconies at his residential block inSt. Petersburgwhen he fell to his death.
Shklyarov’s death is being investigated by the Russian Investigative Committee, a federal agency, which announced his demise on Saturday, November 16.
The Committee has determined that the preliminary cause of death was an accident.
However, his outspoken criticism of theUkraine warhas given rise to suspicions of “foul play” regarding his death.
He had written in a social media statement back in 2022, the year Russia commenced the invasion of Ukraine:
“Friends! I am against the war in Ukraine! I am for the people, for a peaceful sky above our heads. Politicians should be able to negotiate without shooting and killing civilians, for this they were given a tongue and a head.”
“My grandfather, Anatoly Filimonovich, graduated from school in Ukraine with a gold medal, my great-grandmother Sonya lived her whole life inKyiv. It is impossible to watch everything that is happening today without tears,” his statement further read, per reports.
“I want to dance I want to love everyone – that is the purpose of my life I do not want wars or borders. Vladimir Shklyarov,” he signed off.
Notably, there are further complications regarding the claims of the ballet star’s reported substance and alcohol abuse, as Ballerina Irina Bartnovskaya stated that he was merely on “painkillers and preparing for foot surgery before his death.”
It has been reported that representatives of the Mariinsky Theatre also said in a statement to the press that he had “fallen from the fifth floor of a St Petersburg building while on painkillers.”
According to reports, Shklyarov had written to his doctor shortly before his death, “We have to operate. I am not ready, but there is no other way out. I can’t stand this pain,” seemingly referring to the reported footsurgery.
She added that, on the day of the incident, he was out on a very narrow balcony for a smoke, and plunged 60ft to his death in a “stupid, unbearable accident.”
Bartnovskaya alsodescribedShklyarov’s death as a great tragedy, adding that he “loved life, family, adored his children and his audience.”
The Mariinsky Theatre shared a statement following the death of the renowned principal, which read:
“This is a huge loss not only for the theatre’s staff but for all of contemporary ballet… Our condolences to the artist s family, loved ones, friends and all the numerous admirers of his work and talent.”
“He forever inscribed his name in the history of world ballet,” the St. Petersburg-based ballet company further said.
The American Ballet Theatre, where the ballet star performed as a guest artist in 2014 and 2015, also issued a statement regarding his demise, saying, “We mourn the tragic loss of Vladimir Shklyarov, an extraordinary artist whose grace and passion inspired audiences worldwide.”
“Your light will continue to shine through the beauty you brought to this world,” thestatementfrom the American Ballet Theatre continued.
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