2 Empire State Building climbers in custody after apparently getting engaged at the top

Two daredevils were arrested Wednesday after scaling the Empire State Building to unfurl a banner and perform a marriage proposal. Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau, known for climbing global landmarks without safety gear, were taken into police custody shortly after 1 p.m. following a high-altitude stunt that drew international attention.

The Climb and the Proposal

Photo: 6abc Philadelphia

The incident began around noon on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, when witnesses observed two individuals in black clothing and masks ascending the spire of the Empire State Building. The pair eventually reached the top of the 1,454-foot structure, where they secured a large banner displaying the message: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” While the quote is often associated with Jimi Hendrix, 6abc Philadelphia reports it was originally spoken by 19th-century British politician William Gladstone. After spending roughly 30 minutes at the summit, the climbers began their descent. CBS News New York notes that upon reaching a lower platform on the tower, the male climber, identified as Ivan Kuznetsov—who also goes by Ivan Beerkus—dropped to one knee to propose to his partner, Angelina Nikolau. Witnesses on the observation deck below watched the scene unfold with confusion. “They opened the gate and they went up to the top,” said bystander Julie Morris, according to CBS News. “So somebody said, are you allowed up the top? And he said, the security guard said, no, nobody’s allowed up top. But because I’d seen them go up, I just assumed that they were allowed up there.”

Security Breaches and Investigation

Authorities are currently investigating how the pair gained access to the spire, an area strictly restricted to the public. ABC7 New York reports that the NYPD believes the duo entered through a locked maintenance hatch on the 102nd-floor observation deck. The breach has raised questions regarding security protocols at one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Greg Sanfilippo, a former NYPD sergeant now working in corporate security, described the event as a “disturbing breach” and a “worst nightmare” for building security teams. He suggested the pair likely performed “pre-observational surveillance” before executing the climb. The Empire State Building, as a designated National Historic Landmark, operates under complex security layers. These include 24-hour monitoring, restricted elevator access, and physical barriers designed to prevent unauthorized access to the upper antenna and spire sections. Access to the 102nd floor typically requires a ticketed observation deck pass, and the maintenance hatches leading to the exterior are alarmed and secured. The NYPD’s ongoing investigation is focusing on whether the climbers bypassed electronic sensors or utilized specialized equipment to manipulate locks, a detail supported by the charge of “possession of burglar’s tools.” Despite the high-profile nature of the stunt, a spokesperson for the Empire State Building stated that there was no danger to tenants, visitors, or observation deck guests. The building issued a tongue-in-cheek comment regarding the incident, noting that the observation deck “does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals,” according to NBC New York.

Legal Consequences and History

Photo: ABC7 New York

Kuznetsov and Nikolau face a significant list of charges, including felony burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief, alongside misdemeanor counts of criminal tampering, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and possession of burglar’s tools. The charges reflect the severity with which New York law enforcement treats unauthorized access to sensitive infrastructure. In the state of New York, felony burglary charges often stem from the unlawful entry into a building with the intent to commit a crime therein, regardless of whether the intent was to cause damage or merely to trespass. Criminal mischief charges are frequently applied in these cases due to the potential for damage to building property, such as locks, hatches, or the spire itself. This event is not the first time the couple has engaged in high-risk climbing. The duo, both Russian nationals, were the subjects of the 2024 documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which chronicles their history of scaling skyscrapers worldwide without safety equipment. The film is scheduled for release on Netflix later in July. Legal experts note that similar actions carry heavy penalties. Following an incident in 2018 where a woman scaled the Statue of Liberty, the perpetrator was sentenced to five years of probation and 200 hours of community service. As the investigation continues, the NYPD is reviewing surveillance footage from the building to determine the full extent of the security failure. Public-safety advocates have pointed to the inherent risks of these stunts, noting that such climbs not only endanger the participants but also strain emergency resources. If a climber were to fall or become stranded, the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit would be required to execute a high-angle rescue, a maneuver that carries significant risk for responders.

“The unauthorized incident at the building has been resolved with the constructive and helpful coordination of the NYPD. There was at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests.”

Empire State Building Spokesperson, via NBC New York

The spokesperson further emphasized that the situation was handled swiftly and that all safety protocols remained in place to ensure the continued security of all visitors and building tenants. As the case moves through the court system, the building management has indicated they are cooperating fully with the District Attorney’s office to ensure that the unauthorized access is addressed according to the law.