The artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet is now almost completely blind after 18 operations failed to save his sight following an acid attack earlier this year.

Sergei Filin, 42,  was left with severe burns to his eyes and face when a masked attacker threw a jar of sulphuric acid in his face as he was returning home late on January 17.

He flew to Germany from Moscow for treatment in March, but despite initial optimistic reports, he has now lost 95 per cent of his vision and is totally blind in his right eye.

A spokeswoman for the Bolshoi told The Times yesterday: ‘He is now blind in his right eye. The problem is that it is acid and it continues to cause damage. He has had 18 operations and I understand that some of them were very difficult.’
She said that his facial burns had almost completely healed and his hair had grown back.

The spokeswoman also said that he continues to speak regularly on company business to Galina Stepanenko, who has been standing in for him.

The Bolshoi, one of Russia’s best-known cultural symbols, filed two reprimands against Tsiskaridze for giving unauthorised interviews after the attack on Mr Filin.

When he arrived at Aachen University Clinic, Mr Filin said he was ‘full of strength and faith’ that he will eventually see well enough to return to work at the famed Moscow theatre.

But it appears his progress has now stalled and the prognosis for his sight is now bleak.