Russian Couple Arrested After Climbing Empire State Building and Getting Engaged at the Top
New York:A Russian couple was arrested after scaling the top of New York City’s iconic Empire State Building, where they unfurled a peace banner and got engaged before being taken into police custody.
The pair, identified as Angela Nikolau and Vanya Berkus, climbed the building’s **1,454-foot transmission tower** wearing black clothing and face coverings. They shared photos and videos of the climb on social media.
After reaching the antenna, the couple displayed a large black banner reading: *”When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”* The quote is commonly attributed to Jimi Hendrix, although it has also been linked to William Ewart Gladstone.
The climb took place while tourists were visiting the building’s observation deck, with many watching as the pair moved around the antenna hundreds of feet above the city.
After descending to a lower platform, Berkus proposed to Nikolau, who accepted. The couple later shared photos of the engagement on social media.
Known for producing high-risk urban climbing videos, the couple has previously climbed landmarks including the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge and Merdeka 118. Their story was also featured in the 2024 documentary *Skywalkers: A Love Story*.
Following the incident, the New York City Police Department evacuated the observation deck, temporarily closed nearby streets, and deployed a police helicopter before arresting the couple without incident. Authorities said they will face legal action but have not disclosed how they gained access to the restricted area.
An Empire State Building spokesperson described the stunt as an unauthorized act, noting that the building already offers official proposal packages that allow couples to celebrate safely.
Former engineer John Cleary warned that climbing the transmission tower without training is extremely dangerous due to powerful broadcast equipment, electromagnetic energy, and the absence of safety harnesses.
Nikolau’s father, Dmitry Nikolau, defended his daughter, saying he was not concerned because he himself had worked as a circus performer and was accustomed to climbing at heights.
The Empire State Building has seen similar climbs in the past. In 2023, Jared Leto climbed the building with official authorization as part of a promotional event, while French climber Alain Robert, known as the “French Spider-Man,” climbed the skyscraper in 1994 and was later arrested.
