A Russian couple known for climbing tall buildings were arrested Wednesday after scaling the Empire State Building and unfurling a banner near its antenna, in what appeared to be a marriage proposal.
Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33, were charged with multiple offenses, including burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal trespass, according to the New York Police Department. The couple, who are described as self-proclaimed "rooftoppers," were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story."
At midday, the pair, wearing black masks and clothing, were seen holding onto the skyscraper's antenna, approximately 1,454 feet above the ground. Aerial footage captured them unfurling a banner that read: "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." One individual was later seen going down on one knee, followed by an embrace and kiss.
The New York Police Department responded to the incident, leading to street closures below. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared body camera footage on social media showing the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit apprehending the climbers around 12:51 p.m.
A spokesperson for the Empire State Building stated that there was "at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests." The building's official social media account also responded, humorously suggesting it offers "a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals."
The method by which Kuznetsov and Nikolau accessed the Empire State Building's antenna is currently under investigation. The documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story" depicted them bypassing security to climb other notable structures, including the Goldin Finance 117 in Tianjin, China, and Merdeka 118 in Malaysia.
According to CBS News, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, preliminary information suggests the couple ascended the spire by accessing a hatch on the 103rd floor, an area not accessible to the public and used for water tower maintenance. Experts have noted the potential dangers associated with the transmission tower at the building's peak, including exposure to high levels of radio-frequency radiation and electrical energy.
The Empire State Building, once the world's tallest building, has a history of individuals scaling its structure. In 1994, Alain Robert, known as the "French Spiderman," climbed the skyscraper unassisted. More recently, actor Jared Leto legally scaled the building in 2023 as part of a promotional event. In 2024, photographer Isaac Wright was arrested and charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing after climbing the spire for a photograph.