### Aerial Stunt Gone Wrong: Russian Acrobat Suffers Severe Injuries in Circus Mishap

In a harrowing incident witnessed by an audience filled with families and children, a Russian circus acrobat fell and broke both her arms during a performance in Kemerovo. Valeriya Zapashnaya, 34, a talented aerial gymnast, experienced a terrifying accident when her trapeze partner failed to catch her as planned.

The dramatic fall was captured on video, showing Zapashnaya positioning herself on her male partner. As the duo spun and ascended into the air to the accompaniment of dramatic music, Zapashnaya attempted a backflip. However, instead of landing securely on her partner’s legs, she plummeted around 20 feet to the ground. The horrified audience gasped and screamed as the traumatic scene unfolded before their eyes.

This unfortunate incident was exacerbated by the lack of safety harnesses, a notable omission that left Zapashnaya with two broken arms. The director of the show, Yaroslav Zapashny, stated that Zapashnaya had already undergone surgery on one arm. He explained, "All circus artists work without safety equipment. This was an elementary human factor; she made a mistake in the trick."

Despite the severity of her injuries, Zapashny assured that Zapashnaya is in good condition and is particularly eager to return to her work. "Luckily, everything is fine with her," he added calmly. Currently hospitalized with both arms in plaster casts, Zapashnaya reportedly remains in high spirits. Her husband mentioned to local media that he is assisting her with daily tasks, such as feeding, but confidently predicted she would be "flying again in a month."

Zapashnaya hails from a distinguished Russian circus family and not only performs but also works as a trainer for Cane Corso dogs. Remarkably, this recent fall follows another serious accident she endured 18 months ago, where she also broke her arm and suffered a lacerated forehead. Despite these setbacks, her resilience and passion for her craft continue to shine through.