Daredevil couple arrested for scaling Empire State Building antenna
Extreme climbers remain free under supervision after scaling Empire State Building to stage high-profile skyscraper engagement
A couple who climbed to the summit of the Empire State Building earlier this week were criminally charged on Thursday in connection with scaling the New York City skyscraper. Angelina Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, each faced charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief, and an additional offence related to climbing the nearly 1,500-foot-tall structure on Wednesday. The individuals allegedly scaled the building whilst wearing dark outfits and masks before displaying a flag on the broadcast antenna promoting world peace.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office detailed the allegations in a formal criminal complaint following the high-profile incident. Both defendants pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearance. Because the specific case is not legally eligible for bail, the court released the pair under supervision rather than retaining them in custody whilst they await a potential trial.
According to the filed complaint, the skyscraper's security team alerted local police at approximately 11:15 am regarding a possible breach at the antenna. Accessing the restricted area required passing through secure zones on the 102nd and 103rd floors, which necessitate specialised key cards. Authorities discovered a broken lock on a security door leading to the 104th floor, which caused an estimated £1,500 in physical damage. Because the operational antenna emits high-frequency radio signals capable of causing bodily harm, technical teams had to power down the transmission system for 30 minutes before emergency personnel could safely approach.
New York Police Department Emergency Services Unit officers climbed 1,250 feet to reach the couple, who reportedly persisted in remaining near the antenna. Defence attorney Jason Krinsky stated his clients did not pose a public danger, noting local wind speeds were low and citing a facility statement confirming visitors faced no safety risks. Prosecutors revealed Kuznetsov told police the stunt served as a special engagement gesture, having proposed to Nikolau at the summit. The Russian couple, previously featured in a 2024 Netflix documentary, are scheduled to return to court on August 24.
