Vladimir Shklyarov, Russian Ballet Dancer Who Criticized Putin, Falls 60 Feet To His Death – 40th Mysterious Death Of Kremlin Critic Since 2022

Vladimir Shklyarov, a Russian ballet dancer and vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has died at the age of 39 after falling from a building. 

Shklyarov, a married man and father to two children, died on Saturday after plunging 60 feet from the fifth floor of a building. 

Anna Kasatkina, head of the Mariinsky Theatre press service, said that Shklyarov had been taking “serious painkillers” at the time as he anticipated a “complex spinal surgery” scheduled for Monday.

While Russian authorities initially labeled the incident an accident, the dancer joins a large number of Putin critics who have mysteriously died – including others who have also fallen from buildings. 

In 2022, Shklyarov had condemned the war on Ukraine despite Russian authorities cracking down on such criticism. 

“Friends! I am against the war in Ukraine! I am for the people, for a peaceful sky above our heads,” the dancer wrote. “Politicians should be able to negotiate without shooting and killing civilians, for this they were given a tongue and a head.

He added, “It is impossible to watch everything that is happening today without tears. I want to dance…I want to love everyone – that is the purpose of my life…I do not want wars or borders.”

Earlier this year, a member of Putin’s United Russia party mysteriously fell to his death from a third-story window. 

In a separate occurrence, the deputy editor of Putin’s favorite newspaper was found dead at 35 inside her apartment. 

Shklyarov’s career with the Mariinsky Theatre Company began in 2003, becoming the principal dancer in 2011. He performed shows all over the world, including notable shows like Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.

In mourning the loss of the beloved dancer, the American Ballet Theatre noted him as “an extraordinary artist whose grace and passion inspired audiences worldwide.”

Shklyarov is the 40th known critic of Putin to die mysteriously since 2022.