Mariinsky Theatre Principal Dancer and Putin Critic Vladimir Shklyarov Dies at 39 in St. Petersburg Balcony Fall

Nov 18, 2024, 04:40 PM

Russian ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov has died at the age of 39 after falling approximately 60 feet from a fifth-floor balcony in St. Petersburg on Saturday, November 16. Shklyarov, a principal dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre and a married father of two, had been an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, stating that 'politicians should be able to negotiate without shooting and killing civilians.' Reports indicate he may have been on painkillers at the time of his death. Authorities are investigating the incident, but the circumstances have led to speculation due to previous instances of Putin critics dying under similar circumstances.