Full Breakdown
Russian Daredevils Scale Empire State Building Spire, Unfurl Peace Banner and Propose
7/2/2026, 5:59:21 AM
The Stunt
On July 1 2026, two masked Russian climbers reached the 1,454-ft antenna of the Empire State Building, unfurled a banner reading “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” and staged an apparent marriage proposal before NYPD took them into custody. The incident attracted widespread media coverage and social-media attention.
Who They Are
Angela Nikolau (33), a former gymnast and daughter of circus artist Dmitriy Nikolau, calls herself a “neoartist.” Ivan Beerkus (32), also identified as Ivan Kuznetsov, is a Russian “rooftopper” with prior climbs of the Eiffel Tower, Sagrada Familia and Shanghai Tower. Both live in East Orange, New Jersey.
Timeline
12 p.m.: 911 calls report two masked figures on the spire. 12:10-12:40 p.m.: Banner is unfurled. ~12:45 p.m.: The pair descend to a lower platform, kneel and exchange a ring. 12:55-1 p.m.: NYPD Emergency Services Unit climbs the antenna, meets them, and places them in custody. The observation deck reopens later.
Official Statements
The Empire State Building called the act unauthorized and emphasized that the incident posed no danger to tenants, visitors, or observation-deck guests. It also highlighted a $1,000 “Happily Ever Empire Proposal Package” for legal proposals. NYPD said the arrests were made without incident and investigations continue.
Criticism & Opposition
Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe called the stunt “dangerous, reckless” and urged prosecutors to pursue “any appropriate charges” to deter copycats. Security experts warned that the 102-floor maintenance hatch remains vulnerable, raising concerns about future breaches.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list the male climber as Ivan Beerkus, Ivan Kuznetsov or Vanya Beerkus. Police have not confirmed how the pair accessed the antenna; a breached mesh gate on the 102nd-floor observation deck is suspected. Initial reports omitted the couple’s identities, later clarified via Instagram.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There was at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests.” — Empire State Building spokesperson
- “The unauthorized incident at the building has been resolved with the constructive and helpful coordination of the NYPD.” — Empire State Building spokesperson
- “I don't know how -- at first I thought they tried to scale the outside of the building. But we would have heard about that,” — Sydney, building employee
- “The danger here, the recklessness, is obvious and can't be overstated," he said.” — Andrew McCabe, former FBI deputy director
What’s Next
Prosecutors will review the eight charges listed by the Daily News. The Empire State Building will reassess security for the 102nd-floor hatch. Outcomes will shape enforcement of New York’s anti-climbing statutes, which classify unauthorized climbs over 50 ft as a class A misdemeanor.
