News

Russian Climbers Arrested After Empire State Building Proposal Stunt

July 3, 2026 By BeatzHive Editorial 2 min read

Russian Daredevil Couple Arrested After Scaling Empire State Building Antenna for Marriage Proposal

Two internationally recognised rooftop climbers have been taken into custody by New York City authorities following a daring overnight stunt that saw them scale the Empire State Building’s towering antenna and stage a marriage proposal at its peak. The pair, identified as Russian-born Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, were arrested without injury after their actions triggered an emergency response and sent shockwaves across social media on July 1, 2026.

Kuznetsov Proposes Atop Landmark Antenna

According to investigators, the couple entered the iconic skyscraper posing as ordinary visitors, then concealed themselves inside the building overnight. As dawn broke, they reportedly made their way through restricted sections of the structure before eventually reaching the very tip of its 1,454-foot antenna — one of the highest publicly recognisable points in New York City.

Once at the top, the two unfurled a large banner bearing the message, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Kuznetsov then reportedly got down on one knee and proposed to Nikolau on the antenna before the couple began their descent. Police and building officials had already mobilised an emergency response by that point, and both individuals were taken into custody upon coming down, reportedly unharmed.

Authorities subsequently charged the pair with a combination of serious offences, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and additional related counts. They were later released under supervision while court proceedings remain ongoing, with investigators still working to establish exactly how the duo managed to bypass what are considered highly restricted security measures within the landmark building.

Skywalkers Film Details Couple’s Daredevil Past

Nikolau and Kuznetsov are no strangers to this kind of extreme activity. The couple are already well known internationally for scaling tall structures without safety equipment, and their exploits were documented in a 2024 Netflix production titled Skywalkers, which brought their high-altitude adventures to a global audience.

Videos and photographs from the Empire State Building stunt spread rapidly online, drawing a sharp divide in public opinion. While a portion of social media users celebrated the act as a fearless and romantic declaration of love, many others condemned it as reckless and irresponsible, pointing to the serious dangers posed not only to the climbers themselves but also to the emergency personnel called in to respond.

Stay with BeatzHive News for more entertainment and music news.

On X

Two Russian climbers scaled New York’s Empire State Building on Wednesday as part of a death-defying marriage proposal. Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau, stars of Netflix’s “Skywalkers” documentary, were arrested after dangling from the iconic 1,500-foot building’s spire. https://t.co/6sPiAPeUBc

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) View on X