Born in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). Graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy (class of Professor Gennady Selutsky). Joined the Mariinsky Theatre as a soloist in 1981. Principal since 1986.
Silver Medallist of the Sixth Varna International Competition (1983), awarded a special diploma by the Paris Academy of Dance. Won the Baltika prize (1998). Honoured Artist of Russia (1995). People?s Artist of Russia (2000).
Repertoire includes: La Sylphide (James); Giselle (Albrecht); La Bayadere (Solor); Don Quixote (Basil); Le Corsaire (Ali); Swan Lake (Siegfried); Raymonda (Abderakhman); The Sleeping Beauty (Prince Desire); The Nutcracker (Prince); Swan Lake (Siegfried); Grand pas from "Paquita"; Auber?s Grand pas classique; The Legend of Love (Ferkhad); Vinogradov?s The Knight in the Tiger Skin (Tariel); Fokine?s Sheherazade (Golden Slave), Chopiniana, Spectre de la rose; Balanchine?s Theme and Variations, Apollo (Apollo), Prodigal Son (Prodigal Son); Roland Petit?s Carmen (Don Jose), Le Jeune Homme et la Mort; Goya-Divertissement, created by Jose Antonio for Farukh Ruzimatov.
Has performed as Principal guest dancer with American Ballet Theater and has toured throughout the world with the Kirov Ballet.