St. Petersburg (Russia) - Vladimir Shklyarov was at home on the world's biggest stages, performing this year at the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theaters in Moscow and the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg - now the famous ballet dancer has passed away at the age of 39. At the weekend, the Russian dancer fell to his death from a fifth-floor balcony. It is not thought to have been suicide.

The drama occurred on Saturday evening (local time) in Shklyarov's apartment in St. Petersburg, as Anna Kasatkina, a spokeswoman for the Mariinsky Theatre - one of the most famous opera and ballet houses in the world - told the Fontanka news channel.

The dancer was due to undergo surgery on his spine today, Monday, and had already been taking strong painkillers for several days. An investigation was immediately launched into his death, but according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the preliminary cause of death was determined to be an accident.

The death of the star solo dancer has caused a stir in Russia and raises questions about the balcony construction industry, which has been struggling to survive since the war of aggression in Ukraine, as reported by Russian TV channel 78.

Shklyarov has not only danced in the famous houses in Moscow and St. Petersburg. He has also performed for the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and The Royal Ballet in London.

He was promoted to Primoballerino, or master dancer, by the Mariinsky Theatre in 2011.

There has been great sadness in the Russian opera and ballet scene since Shklyarov's death. His sudden death was not only a great loss for his own company, "but for the entire art of ballet today", according to a statement from the Mariinsky Theatre. "We extend our condolences to the artist's family, friends and all the many fans of his work and talent."

Expressive words were used to bid farewell to Shklyarov, who had been on stage at the theater for more than 20 years: "An expressive, absolutely inimitable actor and a virtuoso, academically flawless dancer who mastered all styles - this is how Vladimir Shklyarov will be remembered by the audience."

Incidentally, the dancer was not a supporter of Putin's attack on Ukraine: "I am against the war in Ukraine, I am for the people, for the peaceful sky above your heads," he is said to have said after the Russian invasion, according to the BBC.