Empire State Building climbers identified after apparent rooftop engagement
Police identified the climbers as Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau after they scaled the Empire State Building’s spire and antenna and unfurled a peace banner.
Two rooftop climbers who scaled the Empire State Building’s antenna and spire were identified by police as Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33.
The pair were taken into custody on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, after climbing the landmark’s upper structure and unfurling a banner that quoted Jimi Hendrix: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world knows peace.” The stunt ended with an engagement. The couple remained atop the skyscraper for several minutes while cameras rolled, and spent about 30 minutes on the antenna.
Kuznetsov and Nikolau are known in the climbing world as “rooftoppers,” a label for people who scale tall buildings without ropes or other safety equipment. The two have built an international following around those climbs, including a featured role in the 2024 Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story.” The film followed their rooftop ascents around the world, including a climb of Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, the world’s second tallest building at 2,227 feet.
The pair now face charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, violation of local law, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. The unauthorized climb was quickly resolved with the New York Police Department and posed no danger to guests, visitors, tenants or staff.
The building offers a $1,000-per-couple proposal package that includes a private guided tour, a reserved corner on the 86th Floor Observation Deck and access to the 102nd Floor for photos. The building opened in 1931 and rises 1,250 feet to its top floor, or 1,454 feet including its spire and antenna.
Kuznetsov uses the name Ivan Beerkus on social media. The two live in East Orange, New Jersey, and are originally from Russia.
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