Renowned Russian ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov is dead after falling from the 5th-floor balcony of a building Saturday in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Mariinsky Theatre -- where Vladimir Shklyarov was the highest-ranking dancer -- confirmed the 39-year-old's death ... calling it a huge loss for the entire institution.
Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reports authorities have launched an investigation into Shklyarov's death in St. Petersburg .