Vladimir Shklyarov, an acclaimed Russian\u00a0ballet dancer<\/a>, has died. He was 39.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0Fontanka<\/a>.<\/p>\n The incident took place while Shklyarov was on painkillers prior to a spinal surgery scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18, Kasatkina said.<\/p>\n Kasatkina did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0RIA Novosti<\/a>.<\/p>\n Shklyarov joined Mariinsky Theatre in 2003, following his graduation from the Academy of Russian Ballet.<\/p>\n He danced in the theater company for over 20 years and became its principal dancer \u2014 meaning the highest-ranking performer \u2014 in 2011.<\/p>\n In a statement,\u00a0Mariinsky Theatre<\/a>\u00a0said, “This is a huge loss not only for the theater’s staff, but for all of today’s ballet art.”<\/p>\n “Our condolences to the artist’s family, loved ones, friends and all the numerous admirers of his work and talent,” it continued.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Throughout his career, Shklyarov starred in productions of\u00a0The Sleeping Beauty<\/em>,\u00a0Swan Lake<\/em>,\u00a0Don Quixote<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Romeo and Juliet<\/em>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He was married to ballet dancer Maria Shirinkina, with whom he shared two children.<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for\u00a0PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n Many paid tribute to Shklyarov with tributes on social media after his death.<\/p>\n Fellow dancer Irina Baranovskaya called Shklyarov’s death “a stupid, unbearable accident” in a post on\u00a0Telegram<\/a>, a popular social media site in Russia.<\/p>\n She said he “went out onto the balcony to get some air and smoke” and “lost his balance.”<\/p>\n American Ballet Theater, where the late ballet dancer performed as a guest artist in both 2014 and 2015, shared a message on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, writing, “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his brilliance.”<\/p>\n![\"Cinderella,](\"https:\/\/people.com\/thmb\/QjoNgt0yzuIb9M-o9zzbrCPRDIQ=\/4000x0\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(862x393:864x395):format(webp)\/vladimir-shklyarov-ballet-111724-2efcbc62bcce4c769a9eb4dd468bdc35.jpg\")
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