Support The Moscow Times!

Vladivostok Bridge Climbers Fined 300 Rubles Each

Vitaly Raskalov's feet seen hanging off the top of Russky Island Bridge in Vladivostok on Wednesday morning.

Three thrill-seekers who climbed two Vladivostok bridges earlier this week and took photos from the top were fined 300 rubles ($10) each for trespassing.

In addition to the fines, the trio was subjected to a "preventive discussion about the inadmissibility of breaking current law," a Primorye region police spokesman said, RIA-Novosti reported.

Earlier this week, 19-year-old photographer Vitaly Raskalov and two friends scaled the 240-meter-high pylons of the Zolotoy Rog Bridge and the 320-meter-high pylons of the Russky Island Bridge to take jaw-dropping pictures of the city far below.

But pictures posted by Raskalov on his social networking page from their trip up the first bridge on Tuesday keyed in law enforcement authorities, and the trio were arrested upon their descent from the second bridge Wednesday.

The two bridges, built to help improve the Far East city's transportation infrastructure, are expected to open for use this summer, weeks before Russia hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Sept. 8 and 9.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more