Russian daredevil couple behind viral Empire State Building proposal face criminal charges

Russian daredevil climbers and social media personalities Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus have been arrested after carrying out a dramatic marriage proposal atop New York's Empire State Building.

Videos shared widely online show the couple, dressed in black, climbing to the top of the building's antenna without authorization. After unfurling a banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace," Beerkus proposed to Nikolau.

Authorities later arrested the pair. They are facing felony charges including burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, as well as misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass.

A spokesperson for the Empire State Building said the incident was resolved with the assistance of the New York Police Department and stressed that there was never any danger to tenants, visitors or guests at the building's observation deck.

Nikolau and Beerkus are well known for climbing some of the world's tallest buildings without ropes or other safety equipment, attracting millions of followers on social media through their high-risk stunts.

Nikolau grew up in a circus family and trained in rhythmic gymnastics before becoming famous for taking photographs from the rooftops of skyscrapers in Moscow.

She met Beerkus in 2016, and the two soon began climbing together. According to USA Today, their first major climb as a team was China's Goldin Finance 117 tower in Tianjin that year. Politics

In 2022, they also climbed Malaysia's Merdeka 118, the world's second-tallest building.

Beerkus has completed several solo climbs as well, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Shanghai Tower in China and Shun Hing Square in Shenzhen.

The couple's adventures have been featured in several documentaries, including the 2024 Netflix film Skywalkers: A Love Story. Nikolau has also appeared in the documentaries On the Edge of Freedom and Who Is Next?

Outside their climbing exploits, Beerkus produces music, while Nikolau paints and has a background in dance and acrobatics. Their engagement took place atop the Empire State Building on July 1.