Ukrainian ballet dancer Oleksandr Shapoval killed on the battlefield: NPR

Oleksandr Shapoval volunteered to fight after the Russian invasion. The National Opera of Ukraine says he was killed on the battlefield.

National Opera of Ukraine

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National Opera of Ukraine

Oleksandr Shapoval volunteered to fight after the Russian invasion. The National Opera of Ukraine says he was killed on the battlefield.

National Opera of Ukraine

One of Ukraine’s top ballerinas is being remembered as a “courageous romantic” after being killed on the battlefield.

National Opera of Ukraine announcedwith “indescribable sadness”, the death of Oleksandr Shapoval, one of the company’s former principal dancers and teacher at Kyiv State Choreographic College.

Shapoval died Monday at the age of 48 “under enemy mortar shelling,” according to the statement.

Within days of the Russian invasion, Shapoval volunteered to serve in Ukraine’s territorial defense forces, helping to protect Kyiv’s Left Bank. Then he learned how to launch grenades. According to The National Opera of Ukraine, his unit was recently moved to one of the “hottest regions” in the war-torn country. Quoting Ukrainian media Moloda, The Kyiv Independent report that Shapoval was killed in the battle of Majorsk in the Donetsk region.

Shapoval is the “Honored Artist of Ukraine”, an official award given for high achievement in the performing arts. Over the course of 28 seasons, he performed about 30 different roles. The company wrote, “He captivates them with his bright and beautiful dances, romance and heroism, impeccable skills and deep faith in every image he creates on stage.

Renowned Russian-American choreographer Alexei Ratmansky paid tribute to Shapoval on Facebook. Ratmansky’s Ukrainian United Ballet Company including about 60 Ukrainian refugee artists.

Ratmansky writes: “Many of our dancers were friends with him, worked or studied with him,” I remember very well Sasha, he danced in my first ballet in Kyiv. Tribute to Heroes! “

Ratmansky also expressed his indignation. “Damn war, damn Russian invasion brings death and destruction!!”

Another artist of the National Opera of Ukraine, Artem Datsyshyn, has was killed March.