A LEADING Ukrainian ballet star has died three weeks after reportedly being shelled by Russian invaders, sparking outrage in Moscow.
Artyom Datsishin who had performed the main roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Romeo and Juliet died aged 43.
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He had been in hospital fighting for life for almost three weeks.
The internationally-acclaimed star – an Honoured Artist of Ukraine – had been wounded in capital Kyiv two days after the Russian invasion began.
“On February 26, he was fired upon by the Russian military,” said friend Tatyana Borovik.
“He was seriously wounded and died in the hospital.”
Datsishin had toured in Europe and the USA.
His dance style had “academic expressiveness, romantic elation, and psychological depth”.
His funeral was being held in Kyiv today.
The ballet star’s death was confirmed by Anatoly Solovyanenko, the director of the National Opera of Ukraine.
His death from Russian fire provoked anger from one of Moscow’s biggest ballet names, choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, former artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet.
“I am furious,” he said, adding that Datsishin’s death at the hands of Russian invaders provoked “unbearable pain”.
“Artyom Datsishin, a principal dancer with the National Opera House of Ukraine, died today in the Kyiv hospital from wounds received on February 26 when he got under Russian artillery fire.
“He was a beautiful dancer loved by his colleagues.
“Unbearable pain.”
One of Datsishin’s colleagues, Tatiana Borovik posted on Facebook: “Farewell my dear man !!I can’t express my heartache that is overwhelming me!
“May your memory be bright”.
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