Bolshoi's top dancer famed for playing Ivan the Terrible CONFESSES to acid attack that nearly blinded director in bitter ballet civil war Dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko said to have 'ordered' attack on Sergei Filin 'The motive of the crime was the hostile personal relationship,' police said Row may be linked to Filin's snub of dancer's partner Anzhelina Vorontsova Two other men, the attacker and the driver, also sign written confessions By Martin Robinson and Will Stewart Confession: Russian police today confirmed that principal Bolshoi dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko has confessed to ordering the acid attack A top Bolshoi Ballet dancer has confessed to police that he ordered a ruthless sulphuric acid attack on the world famous troupe's artistic director in a case as dramatic as one of its famed productions. Star soloist Pavel Dmitrichenko - best known for playing Ivan the Terrible on the Moscow stage - allegedly 'masterminded' a 'hit' that left Sergei Filin, 42, almost blind and his face disfigured. 'The motive of the crime was the hostile personal relationship Pavel Dmitrichenko had with Sergei Filin, which was linked to their work,' a police source said this morning. Two others, Yury Zarutsky, 35, suspected perpetrator of the attack, and Andrey Lipatov, 31, allegedly driver of the get-away car, are also said to have signed written confessions for playing a part in the January incident. The treacherous row at the top of Russian ballet has shocked the country. It is claimed the dancer's dispute with Filin was over his 21-year-old 'partner' Anzhelina Vorontsova, another Bolshoi dancer, who the director allegedly snubbed for a job. Filin always said he knew the identity of the person who ordered the attack on him gave detailed information to police before he left for Germany. Arrest: Russian police used mobile phone data to arrest the trio for the acid attack on Sergei Filin, (pictured) artistic director of Russia's world-famous Bolshoi ballet Allegations: Pavel Dmitrichenko (right) is said top have ordered teh attack after his 'partner' Anzhelina Vorontsova (right) was snubbed for a role He is said to be 'relieved but not surprised' by the arrests and confessions. Filin, 42, a former Bolshoi star dancer, was almost blinded in the attack but has recovered partial sight and is now being treated in Germany for severe burns which disfigured his face. A jar of sulphuric acid was thrown directly into his face. Dmitrichenko's sensational confession supports the police's theory that the attack in Moscow was an 'inside job' at the world's most famous classical ballet theatre. No statement has been issued as yet by Dmitrichenko or on his behalf. Grilled: Soloist Pavel Dmitrichenko answers questions after his arrest in Moscow, in this image released by the Russian Interior Ministry Arrests: Alleged masked attacker Yury Zarutsky (left) and Andrei Lipatov (right), the driver who took part in attack on Filin, have both confessed to their involvement, police say There is palpable shock at the Bolshoi which said on Tuesday that they were unaware of any massive breakdown in relations between Filin and Dmitrichenk. 'All three have confessed to the crime,' said a statement by Moscow police. All three are arrested now according to the Article 91 of Russian Criminal Code. The group voluntarily signed confessions, said a police source. Other police operations aimed to establish all the details of this crime are now being carried out by Moscow police. Yesterday's arrests were the first tangible progress in a probe over the attack on Filin, who required emergency surgery to save his eyesight. A Moscow police statement said: 'Moscow policemen searched the apartment of Bolshoi theatre dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko in connection with the investigation of the attack on the Bolshoi theatre head of the troupe Sergei Filin.' Yesterday it was also reported that Russian police used mobile phone data to arrest a key suspect.