Ballerina Olga Smirnova Leaves Bolshoi Ballet After Denouncing War in Ukraine
Russian ballerina Olga Smirnova has shown her disdain for her country's invasion of Ukraine by leaving the Bolshoi Ballet. Smirnova, a prima ballerina who has been with the historic company for a decade, will now dance for the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam. Her decision lends another voice to the Russians who are denouncing Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine. Like many Russians, Smirnova has family ties to Ukraine.