A group of young Muscovites risks arrest, injury and even death for the thrill of scaling the Russian capital's tall buildings. Founded in 2008, they call themselves "Rudex" for “roof and decay exploration.” Their passion for living on the edge has taken them to the top of some of the city’s best known landmarks and, on occasion, led them to detention by police.
Meet Moscow's Rooftop Daredevils
Young Muscovites risk life and limb to scale tall buildings.
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Sergei Rodionov of team "Rudex" takes a photograph on his mobile phone from a rooftop in Moscow. His small group is nonpolitical, but it has shown concern for urban renewal by posting pictures of decaying buildings on social media.
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Georgy Lanchevskiy, left, and Konstantin Drykin, right, climb across a rooftop in Moscow. Drykin’s biggest climb was a 176-meter Stalin-era apartment block near the Kremlin in August, 2014. Lanchevskiy climbed in 2013 the spire of Moscow State University, which is 240 meters high.
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Vad Him jumps on a rooftop in Moscow.
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Grigory Shukhov stands on a parapet of a rooftop in Moscow. "I like the atmosphere on the roof," he says. "It’s unusual. It’s romantic.”
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A member of "Rudex" rests as his teammates stand perched on the parapet of a Moscow roof.
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Ostankino TV tower in Moscow.
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Grigory Shukhov climbs a ladder up to a rooftop in Moscow.
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Vad Him pulls himself onto a structure on a rooftop in Moscow.
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An office building facade in Moscow.
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Vad Him jumps along a rooftop in Moscow.
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Sunlight reflects in windows of the Oruzheyniy business centre in Moscow.