The Russian ballet star Vladimir Sjkljarov has died at the age of 39, after a fall from the fifth floor, writes BBC.
Sjkljarov began at the renowned Marinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in 2003 and has performed around the world, including at the Royal Opera House in London and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Spokespersons for the Marinsky Theatre call him "an extraordinary artist".
"This is a great loss, not just for the theatre but for all modern ballet", says the theatre in a statement.
Sjkljarov, who was taking pain-relieving medication, died after falling from the fifth floor of a building. The incident is now being investigated by the police, according to Russian media. He was married to another dancer in the company, Maria Sjkljarova, and the couple had two children.
