What began as a breathtaking declaration of love high above New York City ended with police intervention after two Russian rooftop climbers illegally scaled the iconic Empire State Building, displayed a peace message, and celebrated their engagement.
The climbers, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov (Vanya Beerkus), are internationally known for documenting unauthorized ascents of some of the world’s tallest buildings. Their latest stunt unfolded on one of America’s most recognizable landmarks, where they climbed to the tower’s highest accessible structure without official permission.
After reaching the top, the pair raised a banner carrying a message calling for peace, reading, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” Images and videos of the moment quickly spread across social media, attracting millions of views and sparking debate among internet users.
The dramatic climb soon turned into a personal milestone when Vanya Beerkus knelt before Angela Nikolau and proposed marriage. She accepted immediately, and the two celebrated their engagement hundreds of meters above the streets of Manhattan before later sharing photographs of the proposal and engagement ring with their online audience.
Authorities, however, responded swiftly after the incident. The couple was taken into custody and is facing multiple criminal charges, including trespassing, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, property damage, and actions that allegedly compromised public safety.
Investigators have not disclosed how the climbers managed to bypass the building’s extensive security measures. The Empire State Building has maintained heightened security for decades because of its international profile and the additional precautions introduced following the September 11 attacks.
In response, the building’s management emphasized that the climb was completely unauthorized. Officials also made light of the situation by pointing out that couples seeking a memorable proposal can legally book the building’s official “Happily Ever Empire Proposal Package,” which allows engagements to take place from one of New York City’s most famous observation decks.
The couple’s relationship has attracted international attention in recent years through the 2024 Skywalkers: A Love Story, which chronicles their passion for extreme urban climbing and the risks they willingly take together.
Angela’s father, Dmitriy Nikolau, later revealed that he had known about the planned climb beforehand. Having spent much of his own career performing dangerous circus acts, he said he was not particularly surprised by either the stunt or his daughter’s arrest.
The incident has reignited conversations about the growing popularity of urban climbing, with supporters viewing the couple as fearless adventurers and critics warning that such unauthorized acts pose significant dangers to both the climbers and emergency responders. While the proposal created an unforgettable moment in the couple’s relationship, it also underscored the serious legal consequences that can accompany high-risk stunts carried out on protected landmarks.
