A Russian daredevil couple has sparked global attention after illegally climbing the towering spire of the iconic Empire State Building in a high-risk stunt in New York.
The dramatic incident unfolded on July 1, 2026, when renowned rooftopping social media stars Angelina Nikolau, popularly known online as Angela Nikolau, and her longtime partner Ivan Kuznetsov, widely recognized as Ivan Beerkus, climbed the upper antenna structure of one of the world’s most recognizable skyscrapers.
The pair, both known internationally for performing dangerous climbs on skyscrapers without safety equipment, reportedly sneaked into a restricted maintenance section on the 103rd floor of the Empire State Building before beginning their unauthorized ascent toward the building’s telecommunications spire.
Authorities said the couple, dressed entirely in black and wearing masks, managed to access a maintenance hatch before scaling approximately 200 feet above the public observation deck. Their climb took them to the top section of the skyscraper, reaching nearly 1,454 feet or 443 meters above Midtown Manhattan.
Witnesses and aerial footage captured the pair perched dangerously high on the narrow steel structure with no visible safety harnesses or protective gear.
Once they reached the highest accessible point of the antenna, the couple unveiled a black banner carrying a quote commonly attributed to legendary musician Jimi Hendrix. The message read, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
The stunt quickly escalated from a risky urban climbing spectacle into a highly publicized romantic moment.
After removing the banner, Ivan carefully descended onto a lower steel platform attached to the spire, where he surprised Angelina by dropping to one knee and presenting a ring. Video footage circulating online shows Angelina reacting emotionally before embracing Ivan as helicopters circled above the skyscraper.
The breathtaking proposal immediately drew attention from law enforcement officials and emergency responders who had already begun mobilizing after receiving reports of unauthorized climbers scaling the landmark.
Members of the New York Police Department Emergency Services Unit climbed the same narrow ladder system on the spire to intercept the pair before they could descend on their own.
Police officers then escorted the pair down from the structure before placing both under arrest.
According to authorities, Angelina and Ivan now face multiple serious charges linked to the unauthorized stunt. Prosecutors are reportedly pursuing felony burglary charges alongside reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.
Investigators are also examining how the pair managed to breach restricted security zones inside one of New York City’s most heavily monitored landmarks without detection.
An official spokesperson for the Empire State Building strongly condemned the incident, describing the stunt as completely unauthorized and dangerous both for the climbers and emergency personnel forced to respond.
In a statement that quickly gained traction online, building representatives pointed out that the couple could have legally arranged a proposal at the iconic landmark by purchasing the building’s official “Happily Ever Empire Proposal Package,” a premium service that costs approximately $1,000 and offers private access for romantic engagements.
The couple has built a massive online following by documenting extreme urban climbing adventures across major cities worldwide. Their dangerous hobby, commonly referred to as “rooftopping,” involves scaling skyscrapers, cranes, and high-rise structures without permission or safety equipment.
Their adrenaline-fueled lifestyle previously became the focus of the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which followed their unconventional relationship and their obsession with pushing physical and psychological limits through extreme climbs.
