Russian rooftoppers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus arrested after Empire State Building proposal

Getting engaged is a whole thing. Getting engaged at the top of the Empire State Building‘s transmission tower, without permission, while dangling 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan and posting it live to Instagram, is a totally different category of commitment. Angela Nikolau, 33, and Vanya Beerkus, 32, are Russian-born rooftoppers who have spent years building […] The post Everything We Know About the Couple Arrested After Getting Engaged on Top of the Empire State Building appeared first on VICE.

A thrilling marriage proposal at the top of the Empire State Building took a surprising turn when Russian urban climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov were arrested. The adventurous couple made headlines after scaling the famous skyscraper, unveiling a peace banner, and sharing a romantic moment, only to be intercepted by authorities. Their daring escapade has ignited both fascination and backlash from the building's management.

Adventurous lovers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus elevated their romance to new heights with a dramatic engagement atop the Empire State Building. Known for their fearless climbs, they ascended the famed skyscraper, displayed a heartfelt banner, and Ivan proposed 1,450 feet above the vibrant landscape of Manhattan. Although Angela joyfully accepted, their audacious display garnered police attention, shedding light on the potential dangers of their extreme lifestyle.

A breathtaking marriage proposal atop one of the world's most famous skyscrapers has captured global attention, but it also landed the couple behind bars. Russian rooftoppers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus were arrested after illegally climbing the antenna of New York City's Empire State Building, where they staged a dramatic proposal hundreds of metres above the streets of Manhattan.The incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, when the couple allegedly made their way into a restricted section of the landmark before climbing the antenna spire, reaching an astonishing height of nearly 1,454 feet (443 metres) above the city. Without any visible safety equipment, the pair balanced on the narrow structure, creating a jaw-dropping spectacle that quickly went viral across social media.TAKE A LOOK: View this post on Instagram A post shared by A N G E L A N I K O L A U (@angela_nikolau) Videos circulating online show the couple embracing high above the skyline before unfurling a black banner bearing the message, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace." Moments later, Ivan Beerkus appeared to go down on one knee, proposing to Angela Nikolau, who accepted before the two celebrated with a kiss against the dramatic New York backdrop.The romantic moment, however, was short-lived. After descending from the antenna, the couple was taken into custody by the New York Police Department. Authorities have charged them with multiple offences, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.Angela Nikolau, the woman who got engaged today after illegally climbing to the top of the Empire State Building, shows off her engagement ring. pic.twitter.com/459cIwPc2k— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 1, 2026 Who Are Angela Nikolau And Ivan Beerkus?Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus are internationally recognised urban climbers, or "rooftoppers," known for scaling some of the world's tallest skyscrapers and structures without official permission or safety harnesses. Originally from Russia and now based in New Jersey, the couple has built a massive online following by documenting their adrenaline-fuelled adventures across the globe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by A N G E L A N I K O L A U (@angela_nikolau) Their extraordinary relationship and shared passion for extreme climbing became the subject of the 2024 Netflix documentary, Skywalkers: A Love Story, which chronicles both their daring expeditions and their personal journey together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by A N G E L A N I K O L A U (@angela_nikolau) Over the years, the duo has climbed several iconic landmarks, including Malaysia's Merdeka 118, one of the world's tallest buildings, and China's unfinished Goldin Finance 117 skyscraper. Their videos often feature breathtaking views captured from dizzying heights, earning admiration from some viewers while drawing criticism from others for the risks involved.

The Russian climbers, who go by Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, were the subject of the 2024 Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story” about their “rooftopping” exploits and budding romance.

EXCLUSIVE: The two people who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building spire today, setting off a police action and commandeering airtime on local and national news channels, have revealed themselves to be Ivan “Vanya” Beerkus and Angela Nikolau, stars of Netflix’s 2024 documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story. But the stunt was not […]