The world-famous dancer, who was born in the Ukrainian city of Kherson and graduated from Kiev’s ballet academy, announced the news about becoming a Russian citizen on Instagram. He posted a picture of his new passport, issued in Moscow, with a caption, slamming “unscrupulous people who create revolutions and wars in Ukraine, Georgia and many other countries” and praising Vladimir Putin.
The document was issued a month ago, on October 29. Before revealing his new passport, Polunin, who has already been a Ukrainian and Serbian citizen, demonstrated his new tattoo. The dancer has quite a collection of tattoos, including a Ukrainian trident and Russian two-headed eagle on both hands; now Putin's face is inked on his chest. On his Instagram, he thanked Putin and expressed his respect for him as well as his love and support for Russia.
In 2009, Polunin, who moved to the UK after graduating from the Kiev Choreographic Academy, became the Royal Ballet's youngest-ever principal. However, he resigned two years later, saying "the artist in him was dying." He has been a guest star at a number of world-famous ballet theaters, made a couple of appearances in hyper-successful music videos and A-list movies, including Red Sparrow.
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Polunin is the latest international celebrity to obtain Russian citizenship, and joins Gerard Depardieu and Steven Seagal.
