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Jun 2 2026
In one of the most audacious and romantic stunts to hit New York City in recent memory, a Russian daredevil couple scaled the dizzying heights of the Empire State Building’s iconic spire on Wednesday afternoon, unfurled a powerful peace message, and celebrated what appeared to be a marriage proposal at the top of one of the world’s most famous skyscrapers—only to be arrested shortly after descending.
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32 (widely known online as Ivan Beerkus), were released from custody on Thursday morning following a brief court appearance.
The pair, already famous for their death-defying urban climbs featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, now face a slew of serious criminal charges for their bold exploit.
“When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
The Daring Climb and Heartfelt Moment
On a hot summer Wednesday, the couple somehow gained access to the building’s upper reaches and climbed the 200-foot needle-like spire that crowns the Empire State Building, reaching a height of approximately 1,454 feet above the bustling streets of Manhattan.
Dressed in black and wearing masks, they clung to the structure with no apparent safety harnesses or equipment visible.Once at the summit, they unfurled a large black banner with bold white lettering that read: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” They lingered at the top for at least ten minutes, embracing as cameras captured the dramatic scene. In a breathtaking moment that quickly spread across social media, one of them dropped to a knee in a proposal, presenting a ring before the pair shared a kiss high above the city.
Witnesses and video footage showed the couple navigating the spire with remarkable confidence before making their way back down. NYPD officers were waiting and took them into custody without incident as they reached lower levels. They were later seen being escorted out of a loading dock area in handcuffs.
Court Proceedings and Charges
The couple spent the night in separate holding cells at Manhattan’s Criminal Court. On Thursday, they appeared before a judge wearing the same black outfits from their climb.
Prosecutors hit them with multiple charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, violation of local laws, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.Despite the gravity of the accusations, the judge opted for supervised release rather than continued detention, with their next court appearance scheduled for August 24. Upon leaving the courthouse, the couple was photographed walking hand-in-hand and sharing a joyful kiss, seemingly undeterred by the legal consequences ahead.
Kuznetsov reportedly informed detectives that the entire climb was intended as a message of love and peace.
Who Are Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus?
The duo has cultivated a significant global following through their high-risk “rooftopping” adventures on skyscrapers and landmarks around the world. Their relationship and shared passion for extreme climbing formed the heart of the Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which brought their exploits to a mainstream audience. Currently residing in East Orange, New Jersey, the pair has turned their thrill-seeking lifestyle into a form of performance art and social media content.
Reactions and Broader Implications
The stunt has sparked intense debate. Supporters hail it as a romantic, breathtaking display of love and bravery, while critics argue it endangered public safety, strained emergency resources, and highlighted potential vulnerabilities in landmark security.
The Empire State Building, a symbol of American resilience and one of New York’s top tourist attractions, has seen unauthorized climbs before, but few have combined such visibility, symbolism, and personal drama.Authorities are now reviewing internal surveillance footage to determine exactly how the climbers accessed a maintenance hatch on the 102nd-floor observation deck.
Building management has remained largely silent so far, but the incident is likely to prompt tighter security reviews.As the couple heads home under supervision, their daring feat continues to dominate headlines and social media feeds. Whether viewed as reckless daredevils or modern-day romantics, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov have undeniably taken their love story to new heights—literally and figuratively—while leaving New Yorkers and the world wondering what heights they might reach next.This story is developing. Legal outcomes and additional details about the security breach are expected in the coming weeks.
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