Edoardo Marchesi In a breathtaking display of daring and defiance, two Russian climbers, Vanya Beerkus and Angela Nikolau scaled the iconic Empire State Building in New York City, capturing the world’s attention with their audacious stunt. The couple, known for their passion for rooftopping an extreme urban sport involving scaling tall buildings, managed to reach the building’s main antenna, approximately 443 meters (1,454 feet) above the ground, where they unfurled a banner with a powerful message: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
An unauthorized ascent with a message
The couple’s ascent, which took place on a Wednesday in 2026 was captured by a news helicopter and quickly went viral. Dressed in black, Beerkus and Nikolau appeared to kiss on top of the skyscraper’s antenna, adding a romantic touch to their daring feat. The banner they unfurled carried a message of peace, reflecting their desire to use their stunt as a form of protest and expression.
It remains unclear how the pair gained access to the antenna, which is located well above the publicly accessible areas of the 102-story building. The Empire State Building’s spokesperson described the climb as an “unauthorized incident,” suggesting that the couple should have opted for the building’s official $1,000 “Happily Ever Empire Proposal Package” to mark their engagement.
The climbers’ background and the NYPD’s response
Beerkus and Nikolau are no strangers to high-altitude adventures. The couple was featured in a 2026 Netflix documentary titled “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which chronicled their shared interest in rooftopping. Their stunt on the Empire State Building was not just a display of their climbing skills but also a bold statement about their beliefs.
The NYPD responded swiftly to the situation. Body camera footage released later in the day showed an officer sent to retrieve the daredevils. “How are you doing?” the officer asked the couple as he ascended a ladder. While the couple’s response was inaudible over the wind, the officer proceeded to tell them, “Well, you can’t be up here.” The climbers were subsequently arrested and charged with various offenses, including burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal trespass.
A family affair and a unique perspective
The couple’s stunt also involved their family. Dmitriy Nikolau Angela’s father and a Russian circus artist, reportedly had prior knowledge of his daughter’s climb. When asked about the stunt, he told Reuters“Why should I be worried? I climb up roofs myself.” He further stated, “I think it is normal to climb up a roof in any country, including the United States, according to any constitution.”
The aftermath and public reaction
The daring stunt not only led to the couple’s arrest but also sparked a wave of reactions from the public and the media. Witnesses on the observation deck shared their experiences, with some expressing concern for their safety. Julie Morris a visitor on the observation deck, spotted the couple entering an off-limits area. “Well, I was on the top, the very top, along come these two people. Opened the mesh. Assumed they worked there and nobody stopped them,” she recounted.
The stunt also forced some visitors to evacuate the building temporarily. Grant Staub another witness, mentioned, “They’re just keeping us inside, but they let us out for maybe two minutes. I got a few videos and pictures of the people up there, but then a few cops came out immediately made it immediately made us go inside.”
The Empire State Building has seen its share of unauthorized climbs in the past. However, the building’s spokesperson emphasized that there was no danger to tenants, visitors, or guests on the observation deck during this incident. The building also offers a practical way for memorable marriage proposals, highlighting the contrast between the couple’s daring stunt and the official options available.
The story of Vanya Beerkus and Angela Nikolau serves as a reminder of the thrill and danger that come with extreme sports like rooftopping. Their stunt on the Empire State Building not only captured the world’s attention but also sparked conversations about safety, regulations, and the boundaries of personal expression.