Unauthorized Ascent and Arrest
Two individuals were taken into custody by the New York Police Department (NYPD) on Wednesday after scaling the spire of the iconic Empire State Building. Law enforcement sources identified the pair as Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau, both known for their history of high-stakes, unauthorized skyscraper climbs. The incident began around noon when the pair, wearing masks, reached the 103rd floor—a restricted area—and climbed to the top of the building’s radio and television transmission antenna.
Upon reaching the summit, the pair unfurled a large black banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” As the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit arrived, the pair began their descent, during which Kuznetsov dropped to one knee on a spire platform to propose to Nikolau. Both were subsequently taken into custody without injury.
The Stakes of Urban Stunts
The climb has drawn sharp criticism from safety experts and officials. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe noted that the stunt placed building owners, law enforcement, and the public in a “tough spot,” citing the extreme recklessness of the act. The transmission tower, which stands 1,454 feet above the ground, is an active site for broadcast signals and poses severe risks, including exposure to high-level RF and electrical energy, as well as treacherous physical conditions.
“This is a live transmission tower; there is a lot of danger up there,” explained John Cleary, a former chief engineer for CBS News New York. He emphasized that the environment is vastly different from rock climbing, noting the strenuous heat and lack of safety equipment used by the pair.
Institutional Response
An Empire State Building spokesperson confirmed the incident was resolved through coordination with the NYPD, assuring that tenants and observation deck guests were never in danger. The building administration reminded the public that the observation deck remains the only authorized venue for marriage proposals. While the couple gained international notoriety through the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, their latest stunt has resulted in pending criminal charges, including potential counts of trespass and reckless endangerment.