Phoenix 24
A romantic spectacle creates serious legal consequences.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — July 2026.
A daredevil couple known for scaling skyscrapers has been charged with multiple crimes after climbing the Empire State Building’s broadcast antenna and staging an apparent marriage proposal high above Manhattan. Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, who publicly use the names Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court following their arrest on July 1. Prosecutors accused them of felony reckless endangerment, burglary and several additional offenses connected to their unauthorized ascent. The couple was released under supervision after the arraignment and did not enter a plea.
The pair reached the top of the landmark’s antenna, approximately 443 meters above Midtown Manhattan, while news helicopters recorded their movements. Dressed in black, they displayed a large banner declaring that the world would know peace when the power of love overcame the love of power. They later descended to a lower ledge, where Kuznetsov appeared to propose and Nikolau displayed an engagement ring against the city skyline. After leaving court the following day, Kuznetsov briefly told reporters that they believed in love.
Authorities said the spectacle created substantial danger not only for the climbers but also for the emergency personnel required to reach them. The antenna transmits high-frequency radio signals considered powerful enough to harm people approaching the structure while it remains operational. Police consequently waited approximately 30 minutes for the equipment to be powered down before Emergency Services Unit officers could begin ascending. Responders eventually intercepted the couple during their descent at a height of roughly 381 meters above the street.
The criminal complaint alleges that officers discovered a broken lock on a secured door leading from the 104th floor toward the broadcast antenna. Public visitors can normally reach only the 102nd floor observation area, while access beyond that level requires authorization and a security card. Investigators are examining how the pair bypassed the building’s screening procedures and entered spaces reserved for employees and specialized personnel. Reports also indicated that tools may have been used to loosen structural brackets and gain access to a restricted stairway.
The charges include burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct and possession of burglar’s tools. Prosecutors must establish the elements of each accusation through evidence, and the charges do not constitute a finding of guilt. The couple’s defense attorney, Jason Krinsky, argued that authorities had overcharged the case in an attempt to send a public message. He said the defense would review the prosecution’s evidence before determining whether to challenge the allegations or pursue negotiations.
Nikolau and Kuznetsov have developed an international following through a practice known as rooftopping, which involves climbing extremely tall buildings and structures to produce dramatic photographs and videos. Their relationship and dangerous expeditions were featured in the 2024 documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which followed their ascent of Malaysia’s Merdeka 118 skyscraper. The film presented their climbing partnership as both a romantic bond and an exercise in trust under extraordinary physical pressure. Their Empire State Building stunt extended that public narrative but placed them directly inside the United States criminal justice system.
The management of the Empire State Building described the climb as unauthorized and emphasized that the structure maintains restrictions intended to protect visitors, workers and critical equipment. Security practices at the landmark are now under renewed scrutiny because the couple apparently reached multiple restricted levels despite existing controls. The incident raises questions about employee entrances, surveillance coverage and the protection of infrastructure located above public observation decks. Officials may examine whether additional locks, alarms or access protocols are necessary to prevent similar intrusions.
Unauthorized urban climbing can create risks extending far beyond the people performing the stunt. Falling objects, damaged equipment or sudden movements can endanger pedestrians, workers and rescuers who did not choose to participate in the activity. Emergency responses also require specialized officers, temporary operational changes and resources that would otherwise remain available for other incidents. In this case, powering down the antenna and sending personnel onto the structure demonstrated how a private spectacle can produce broader public-safety consequences.
The event has generated competing reactions because some observers view the proposal as an extraordinary romantic gesture while others consider it irresponsible and potentially lethal. Social-media visibility frequently rewards increasingly dramatic behavior, encouraging creators to enter restricted locations or accept extreme physical danger to obtain unique images. The criminal case will determine whether prosecutors can prove that the couple’s actions satisfied the legal requirements for the serious charges filed against them. Regardless of the final outcome, their engagement has become inseparable from an arrest, a major security investigation and a courtroom process in New York.
Phoenix24 — Global news with clarity and perspective.