A notorious Russian daredevil couple threw midtown Manhattan into a frenzy on Wednesday afternoon after illegally scaling the extreme heights of the Empire State Building’s antenna. The high-altitude stunt, which included unfurling a massive peace banner and an audacious marriage proposal, ultimately concluded with the couple being led away in handcuffs.
The climbers have been formally identified by the New York Police Department as Angelina Nikolau (33) and Ivan Kuznetsov (32) (known globally online as Ivan Beerkus). The duo are internationally renowned “rooftoppers” and were the central protagonists of the hit 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
A High-Altitude Message and Mid-Air Proposal
Dressed entirely in black and operating completely free of safety tethers or harnesses, the couple managed to bypass complex security layers at the landmark office tower around noon.
Pedestrians gaped from the sidewalks below while news helicopters swarmed the skies as the couple balanced on a narrow ledge 1,454 feet (443 meters) above the city. Once positioned near the glowing red light at the absolute tip of the spire, they unfurled a large black banner bearing a message of global harmony:
“WHEN THE POWER OF LOVE BEATS THE LOVE OF POWER, THE WORLD WILL KNOW PEACE.”
After displaying the banner to onlookers and news crews, the pair began a slow descent to a slightly wider maintenance platform. There, Kuznetsov set up photographic equipment, dropped to one knee, and proposed to Nikolau. She accepted, and the newly engaged couple embraced, taking selfies to immediately showcase the ring on Instagram against the panoramic Manhattan skyline.
The NYPD Interception and Severe Criminal Charges
The romantic celebration was short-lived. Two specialized officers from the NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) scaled a series of four steep ladders inside the spindly framework to intercept the trespassers.
According to police bodycam footage, an officer called out a greeting before firmly stating, “Well, you can’t be up here.” An off-camera voice calmly replied, “We are engaged,” as the couple surrendered without further incident.
The Legal and Security Fallout
While management at the Empire State Building confirmed that the stunt did not endanger structural integrity, security experts and former law enforcement officials have expressed deep concern over the massive security breach.
The couple is currently being processed at a local precinct and faces a severe laundry list of criminal charges:
- Felony Burglary (Entering or remaining in a building with intent to commit a crime)
- Reckless Endangerment
- Criminal Mischief & Criminal Tampering
- Criminal Trespass & Disorderly Conduct
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe noted that city officials are highly incentivized to prosecute the couple to the absolute fullest extent of the law. “The last thing responsible parties want is to turn this iconic landmark into a target for reckless stunts,” McCabe warned, “because ultimately, it will end in tragedy.”
