Who is Artem Datsishin? Ukrainian ballet star, 43, dies after Russian assault on Kyiv
As we have extensively covered, Russia's war on Ukraine isn't just an attack on Ukraine's military, but the nation's art, culture, sport, and civilians as well. The tragic human toll continues to grow with each day, as does the loss of key Ukrainian figures. On March 18, Ukraine lost cultural icon Artem Datsishin, who succumbed to injuries sustained from a February 26 firing by Russian forces in Kyiv.
On March 3, biathlete and former Ukraine junior team representative Yevhen Maylshev was killed in Kharkiv. Days later, actor Pasha Lee was killed as a result of shelling in Irpin, where he was defending the city after enlisting in Ukraine's army. On March 18, actress Oksana Shvets was killed after Russian shelling in Kyiv. Since the invasion began, there has also been a concerted effort to preserve Ukrainian culture and heritage, as Russia's indiscriminate bombing levels cities and towns.
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Sadly, the toll on Ukraine's culture continues to grow, with Datsishin becoming the latest to lose his life. Unlike Lee, Datsishin was not a member of the Ukrainian military. A funeral for Datsishin was held on March 18, three weeks after he was first injured.
Who is Artem Datsishin?
At the time of his death, Datsishin was the principal dancer with the National Opera of Ukraine. The 43-year-old was an internationally-acclaimed star and even honored with the Artist of Ukraine, a state title bestowed for outstanding achievement in the performing arts. He toured Europe and the US, performing in numerous well-known acts like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Romeo and Juliet.
Little else is known about Datsishin, apart from his death. Tatyana Borovik, a friend of the ballet star wrote on Facebook, "On February 26, he was attacked by the Russianists, was seriously injured." It is believed he was critically wounded after shelling in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital that Russians have been attempting to take for weeks now. Datsishin was injured on February 26, just two days after Russia began its invasion.
It's unclear when exactly he died with Borovik noting that he "died in the hospital." Anatoly Solovyanenko, a stage director at the opera house also mourned Datsishin's death, calling him "a beautiful artist" and "a wonderful man." Alexei Ratmansky, a Russian choreographer also mourned his loss by posting on Facebook, "He was a beautiful dancer loved by his colleagues."
Datsishin joins a long list of Ukrainians who have succumbed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war, with the civilian death toll now exceeding 700. Notably, around 100 children have also died in the war, despite Russia's assistance it is only hitting military targets. The toll is only expected to grow worse, as Russia resorts to more indiscriminate bombing after its ground forces have been forced to halt due to logistical and supply chain issues.
As of early March 19, Russia's military was seen constructing protective earthen berms and defensive lines around its convoy northwest of Kyiv. The Ukrainian army has since launched a counter-offensive to take back control of the city's suburbs, as Russian ground troops are stuck. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is still calling for talks with Russia, in hopes of salvaging a peace deal before things get worse.