A Russian couple known for climbing some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers was granted supervised release in Manhattan Criminal Court, following an unauthorized climb to the Empire State Building’s broadcast antenna to stage a dramatic marriage proposal.
Ivan Kuznetsov, 32 (who is also known as Ivan Beerkus) and Angela Nikolau, 33, who reside in East Orange, New Jersey, pleaded not guilty to charges that include felony reckless endangerment, burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and possession of burglary tools.
The incident unfolded Wednesday afternoon when the pair, dressed in dark clothing and face masks, scaled the landmark’s 1,454-foot radio and television transmission tower. Balancing on a narrow ledge without safety ropes, they displayed a black banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Moments later, Kuznetsov dropped to one knee to propose before the couple began their descent.
According to law enforcement sources, the couple bypassed building security by purchasing tickets Tuesday night and hiding inside the structure overnight. Prosecutors alleged the duo damaged a lock on a security door on the 104th floor to reach the restricted broadcast antenna, causing approximately $2,000 in damage. The New York Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit had to coordinate a 30-minute power shutdown of the high-frequency broadcasting array before officers could climb the tower to execute the arrests. Body camera video captured an officer telling the couple, “Well, you can’t be up here.” An off-camera voice answered, “We are engaged.” Prosecutors said Beerkus later told police he wanted to “do something special” for the proposal.
The defendants, whose global “rooftopping” exploits were chronicled in the 2024 Netflix documentary ‘Skywalkers: A Love Story,’ have built an international following through unauthorized high-rise climbs. Authorities said the latest stunt created significant safety concerns for first responders and others involved in securing the scene, even though no injuries were reported. The Empire State Building described the climb as unauthorized and has not explained how the couple bypassed security measures.
Because the offenses are not eligible for monetary bail under New York law, the presiding judge released them under low-level supervision until their next court date on August 24. “We will do supervised release. We will do it at a low level,” the judge noted during the arraignment.
Defense attorney Jason Krinsky argued that prosecutors heavily overcharged the couple for an act intended as a message of love. He emphasized that the building’s management confirmed the public was never in jeopardy. “Even the building’s own people, the Empire State’s own people, said there was no risk to tenants, guests on the observation deck or anyone in the building,” Krinsky stated outside the courtroom. The couple is scheduled to return to court in late August.
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