The trolleybus tragedy in St. Petersburg involved a Russian dubbing actress named Elena Shulman. Eyewitnesses reported that the driver of the trolleybus spoke to Shulman before the arrival of medical teams, offering reassurances and asking her to stay strong. The driver reportedly told the injured woman that the incident was not her fault, a claim she repeated during the fraught minutes after the crash.
Elena Shulman, a prominent voice actress, sustained serious injuries when a collision occurred on Zagorodny Prospekt in the city. She was taken to hospital while still alive, where she was treated for multiple fractures and internal injuries. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, she did not recover. The tragedy unfolded in the early hours, with reports indicating the time of death as around 6:45 in the morning Moscow time.
Shulman would have celebrated her 54th birthday on April 10. Her passing marks a significant loss for the Russian dubbing community, where she built a lengthy career across cinema and television. In her professional life she voiced characters for a wide array of productions, contributing to both feature films and animated works. Her name has appeared in the credits of many recognizable projects, and her voice work reached audiences in various formats and genres.
Beyond her dubbing achievements, she also appeared in films and directed projects. A familiar voice for audiences across generations, Shulman’s performances included memorable roles such as Nastasya in a well-known trilogy, as well as characters in adaptations that connected Russian audiences with global cinema. Her work extended to popular television series, where her vocal talents helped bring diverse characters to life on screen and on screens big and small.
The incident drew attention not only for its tragic outcome but for the immediate human response from those near her. The driver’s attempt to comfort Shulman and absolve responsibility highlighted the complex emotions that accompany such moments. While official investigations continue, the initial reactions from bystanders and colleagues reflect a community grappling with loss and the suddenness of the event.