An acclaimed Russian ballet dancer has died aged 39 after reportedly falling off a balcony while on painkillers.
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: “This is a huge loss for the entire staff of the Mariinsky Theatre.
“We express our condolences to the family, friends of the artist and all the many fans of his work and talent.”
A spokesperson for the theatre also told Russian media at the weekend he had fallen from the fifth floor of a building, and that he had been taking “serious painkillers” for a back injury.
Vladimir Shklyarov performing in London in 2009, with fellow dancer Alina Somova. Pic: Reuters
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 that Mr 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.”
Read more from Sky News:
US allows Kyiv to fire rockets deep into Russia
UK will double aid to Sudan
Police force ends use of strip searches
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
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.
Sky News has contacted the Mariinsky Theatre and St Petersburg ballet company for comment.