OREANDA-NEWS Prima ballerina of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater Olga Smirnova has decided to leave the theater. The artist left Russia and intends to continue her career in the Netherlands, reports Russian media Interfax with reference to the Bolshoi Theater leadership.

«Olga Smirnova has decided to leave the Bolshoi Theater of Russia and continue her career with the National Ballet of the Netherlands», the message reads. It is known that in early March, the dancer published a post on her Telegram channel criticizing Russia's special operation in Ukraine.

The administration of the theater does not exclude that the 30-year-old Smirnova will perform in the National Ballet of the Netherlands, while there is no question of a formal dismissal, and the prospects for her possible return are not yet clear. Earlier, the media reported that the National Ballet of the Netherlands confirmed Smirnova's admission to the troupe, calling it a «great honor».

Earlier State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin suggested that cultural figures who criticize the special operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine should leave their positions in state institutions. According to the politician, those who take a «collaborationist position» and betray their people and the state are despised, including abroad.