Ballet Dancer Vladimir Shklyarov Dies at 39

Renowned Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov, 39, tragically died after falling from a fifth-floor balcony in St. Petersburg, with authorities classifying the incident as an accident. Shklyarov had been battling a back injury and was on painkillers, scheduled for spinal surgery shortly after his death. He was a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, expressing his desire for peace and condemnation of violence on social media. The Mariinsky Theatre, where he had spent more than two decades, confirmed his passing and expressed condolences to his family and fans. Fellow dancers described him as a loving father and passionate artist, while local reports suggested he was attempting to escape confinement by his ex-wife at the time of his fall. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is underway.