A 29-year-old Russian acrobat was critically injured Tuesday night at the Cole Brothers Circus at the Panama City Mall.

Alexander “Sasha” Bondamenko was a member of the aerial act known as the “Russian Air Force."

He fell 35-40 feet during one of the maneuvers involving a loop of rope. He was wearing safety wires, but they apparently broke when he fell.

Witnesses said Bondamenko landed on the asphalt pavement below. The mishap occurred shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday as the matinee circus show was nearing a conclusion.

The acrobat reportedly sustained head and leg injuries and was admitted to a Panama City hospital.