Two adventurers scaled the iconic Empire State Building to stage a daring marriage proposal, only to be taken into custody after their high‑altitude stunt attracted global attention.
The duo, identified as Russian climbers Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, reached the building’s 1,454‑foot antenna, unfurled a banner bearing a peace‑themed message, and then appeared to get engaged.
Law‑enforcement officers apprehended the pair without injury, and they now face several criminal counts.
Investigators said the couple entered the tower as regular guests, remained inside overnight, slipped into restricted zones, and climbed the antenna at daybreak.
Their actions triggered an emergency response, with police and building staff working to bring them down safely.
Peace message and proposal end in arrest
The banner displayed by the climbers read, “When the power of love outweighs the love of power, the world knows peace.”
After unveiling the sign, Kuznetsov reportedly proposed to Nikolau on the structure before the couple descended and were detained by officers.
Footage and images of the incident spread rapidly across social platforms, drawing widespread attention.
Authorities have charged the duo with offenses such as burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and related counts.
They were later released under supervision while awaiting further court proceedings, and officials continue to probe how they accessed the highly secured area.
Social media reacts as investigation continues
The unconventional proposal ignited mixed reactions online. Some users praised it as a bold declaration of love, while others condemned it as reckless and dangerous, citing risks to the climbs and emergency responders.
The pair are already renowned internationally for scaling skyscrapers without safety gear and were previously featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers.
Watch the video below…
BREAKING: Two people have climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City, holding a banner from the skyscraper’s antenna reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” As of now it’s unclear how the pair reached the top of the… pic.twitter.com/rUPZ6nc1eK
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 1, 2026
About the Author
