Photo Gallery Moscow from on High

Marat Dupri, AKA the "skywalker," has become famous for climbing skyscrapers and heavily guarded buildings in Moscow in search of the best views and biggest thrills.
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Moscow's massive apartment buildings are a paradise for the so-called "roofers." They slip by dozing supervisors, climb through open windows and scale fire escapes until they reach the rooftops of the Russian capital.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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Marat Dupri on the way up: He recently climbed to the top of a 100-meter (330-foot) statue of Peter the Great in downtown Moscow.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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Standing on the shoulders of the czar: Unnoticed by video cameras and security guards, Dupri climbed to the top of the Peter the Great monument, where he had a different perspective. "Up close, the monument looks strange, and Peter has incredibly protruding eyes," Dupri says.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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Moscow awakes: At the top of the Peter the Great monument, Dupri watched the sunrise. He later said: "In these moments, I feel like the happiest person on earth."

Foto: Marat Dupri
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The skyscrapers of the Moscow International Business Center: In 2011, one of Dupri's photos from on high was awarded the "Best of Russia" prize. Since then, the media has dubbed him the "skywalker."

Foto: Marat Dupri
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The Kremlin at night: The 20-year-old "roofer" belongs to a generation of Russians who grew up after the collapse of the Soviet Union and only learned about communism through textbooks.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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The sign above the "Red October" chocolate factory near the Kremlin is a landmark in the Russian capital: After being told by doctors that he couldn't play sports due to his weak heart, Dupri discovered roofing.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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A group of Moscow "roofers": "Roofing keeps me healthy," Dupri says. "My heart beats better." And, of course, there are also many thrills, such as those that come with eluding guards.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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Up high: The "Seven Sisters" Stalinist skyscrapers are a defining characteristic of Moscow's skyline -- and provide a constant challenge to the "roofers."

Foto: Marat Dupri
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Outside city limits: The area around Moscow offers the roofers dilapidated industrial buildings and abandoned military structures, such as this radio transmission tower.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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For the climbers, there is only a fine line between being daring...

Foto: Marat Dupri
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...and recklessness. Dupri snapped this photo of a friend who balanced in sneakers on a steel beam over 200 meters (660 feet) up. The photo was honored as a winner in the "Best of Russia" photography contest in 2011.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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A half-abandoned industrial complex near Moscow: Dupri never climbs without a camera. He later posts the photos on his blog.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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A "roofer" sits on a roof in Moscow 157 meters (515 feet) up: Dupris says the roofers have a few rules: Climb sober and be nice.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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A view of the skyscrapers in Moscow's financial district: "When you're standing in front of a building, you can't hesitate; you can't doubt," Dupri says.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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Marat Dupri on one of his adventures: Dupri has been arrested for some of his exploits. But, as a law student, he knows when the police are trying to imtimidate him and when he's actually broken some laws.

Foto: Marat Dupri
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Winter in Moscow: Dupri is happy Vladimir Putin won the recent presidential election, but he thinks the "entire system is thoroughly corrupt."

Foto: Marat Dupri
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A careful balancing act on the roof of an apartment building in Moscow: "At such moments, I experience a sensation of freedom," Dupri says. "No one can disturb me. No one tells me what's good and what's bad."

Foto: Marat Dupri