This couple’s marriage proposal happened above the clouds, and it landed them 8 criminal charges

A Russian couple known for scaling the world’s tallest buildings without ropes was arrested this week after climbing to the top of the Empire State Building. One of them proposed marriage near the summit, then police took both into custody. The pair now face eight criminal charges, including burglary and reckless endangerment.

Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, reached the building’s 1,454-foot broadcast antenna on Wednesday, July 1. They wore black and masks, with no visible safety tethers. Near the top, they unfurled a banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

Then Kuznetsov dropped to one knee. Nikolau said yes. Photos she later posted online show her holding up a diamond ring against the Manhattan skyline.

The Empire State Building has public observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors. The 103rd floor and the antenna above it are restricted to maintenance staff only.

A tourist named Julie Morris told a local news station she watched the pair pass through a mesh gate on the 102nd floor. She assumed they worked there. Investigators later said the couple appeared to have broken through a locked maintenance hatch to reach the antenna.

The antenna was still transmitting live radio and television signals when the couple reached it. Police could not immediately approach. The building had to power it down first, a process that took about 30 minutes, according to the criminal complaint.

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov were arrested after climbing the empire state building.

The couple was charged with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, violation of local laws, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly… pic.twitter.com/EJCTg6sasm

— Complex (@Complex) July 2, 2026

Nikolau and Kuznetsov, who also goes by Ivan Beerkus online, are not new to this. The couple built a following of nearly two million people on Instagram by climbing skyscrapers, cranes, and unfinished towers around the world, often without permission. Their exploits were the subject of the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which followed their relationship and their climbs, including a previous ascent of Malaysia’s 2,227-foot Merdeka 118 Tower.

They were arraigned Thursday, July 2, on charges that include burglary, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, and possession of burglar’s tools. Both pleaded not guilty. Because the charges are not bail-eligible, the couple was released under supervision rather than held.

The Empire State Building issued a statement saying the incident was resolved through coordination with the NYPD and that “there was at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building observation deck guests.” The couple’s attorney, Jason Krinsky, said wind speeds were low at the time of the climb and disputed that his clients posed a danger to the public.

The stunt drew millions of views within hours. Not everyone was moved by the message on the banner. Commenters online called the peace slogan tone-deaf given the risk involved, and some accused the couple of using a serious relationship milestone to promote their Netflix profile.

Others focused on the disruption it caused. Jonathan Roman, a tourist visiting from Glasgow, Scotland, arrived at the building with his 15-year-old son that afternoon, only to find the observation deck temporarily closed because of the police response. He told reporters the unexpected drama was still memorable, comparing it to being inside a movie.

The couple, who live in East Orange, New Jersey, were swarmed by reporters as they left the Manhattan courthouse Thursday, holding hands. Kuznetsov told reporters his jail cell had been cold but that “the people are nice there.” Asked about the attention the stunt had drawn, he said simply, “It’s great.”

Their case now moves through the New York court system. The outcome will likely turn on whether prosecutors can show the climb put officers and building staff in real danger, not just the couple themselves. For now, Nikolau and Kuznetsov are engaged, facing trial, and, by their own account, not done climbing.