Vladimir Shklyarov, an Acclaimed Russian Ballet Star, Dies at 39 After Fall from Building: ‘A Huge Loss’

Vladimir Shklyarov, an acclaimed Russian ballet dancer, has died. He was 39.

Shklyarov died on Saturday, Nov. 16, after falling from the fifth floor of a building, Anna Kasatkina, a representative for the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, told local news outlet Fontanka.

The incident took place while Shklyarov was on painkillers prior to a spinal surgery scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18, Kasatkina said.

Kasatkina did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

While a federal investigation has been launched to investigate Shklyarov’s death, “the preliminary cause” has been ruled an accident, according to Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

Shklyarov joined Mariinsky Theatre in 2003, following his graduation from the Academy of Russian Ballet.

He danced in the theater company for over 20 years and became its principal dancer — meaning the highest-ranking performer — in 2011. 

In a statement, Mariinsky Theatre said, “This is a huge loss not only for the theater’s staff, but for all of today’s ballet art.”

“Our condolences to the artist’s family, loved ones, friends and all the numerous admirers of his work and talent,” it continued.

“His boundless creative abilities were recognized with numerous awards,” the theater concluded its tribute. “He forever inscribed his name in the history of world ballet art.”

Throughout his career, Shklyarov starred in productions of The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Don Quixote and Romeo and Juliet.

He also performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the Royal Opera House in London and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

He was married to ballet dancer Maria Shirinkina, with whom he shared two children.

Fellow dancer Irina Baranovskaya called Shklyarov’s death “a stupid, unbearable accident” in a post on Telegram, a popular social media site in Russia.

She said he “went out onto the balcony to get some air and smoke” and “lost his balance.”

American Ballet Theater, where the late ballet dancer performed as a guest artist in both 2014 and 2015, shared a message on Instagram, writing, “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his brilliance.”

They added, “Rest in peace, Vladimir. Your light will continue to shine through the beauty you brought to this world.”

Fellow Mariinsky Theatre dancer Diana Vishneva, meanwhile, shared a heartfelt note on X (formerly known as Twitter). “This tragedy brings only tears and sadness,” she began.

“Volodya, it is impossible to comprehenсe how early and unfair you passed away. This is the tragedy for our theatre, our common grief, feeling of emptiness,” Vishneva continued.