FILE: Abandoned munitions inside a church in Bohorodychne village in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)The leading Ukrainian ballet dancer Oleksandr Shapoval has been killed while fighting on the frontline.
The National Opera of Ukraine paid tribute to Mr Shapoval as a “courageous romantic” who volunteered immediately after the Russian invasion to defend his country.
The dancer died aged 48 while under “enemy mortar shelling,” it said.
In a statement, the National Opera said: “He was a great creative person, there were no "small" parts for him - as a real artist, he created stage images that will forever be remembered by fans of ballet.
“In addition, he was an impeccable partner on stage, a good friend in the team.
“Oleksandr Shapoval left a bright mark not only in the history of the performing arts of the National Opera of Ukraine, but also as a teacher.”
The acclaimed performer volunteered to join the territorial defence within days of Putin’s invasion in February and defended Kyiv from Russian forces.
Oleksandr Shapoval, soloist of National Opera ballet, Honored Artist of Ukraine, died in combat near Mayorsk, Donetsk region.
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) September 12, 2022
He went to the frontlines as a volunteer and served as a grenade launcher.
RIP, Hero. pic.twitter.com/lKhci842Sw
In April, he volunteered to go to the front as a private, said the statement, where his unit was transferred to an area of heavy fighting which ultimately led to his “instant heroic death”.
The Kyiv Independent reported that Mr Shapoval was killed in the battle of Majorsk in the Donetsk region.
The performer was an “Honored Artist of Ukraine”, a distinction given to those whose work is notable in a field of the arts.
Over 28 seasons, he performed some 30 different roles, charming audiences “with his bright and beautiful, romantic and heroic dance, impeccable skill and deep conviction of every image he created on stage,” said the company.
Among those also paying tribute to the late performer was one of the world’s leading ballet choreographers, Alexei Ratmansky.
Writing on Facebook, he said: “He died defending his land with arms in his hands. Eternal memory and gratitude to the Hero!
“Damn war, damn Russian aggression that brings death and destruction!!"
Another dancer with the company, Artem Datsyshyn, was killed in the war in March.
