Two Russian stuntmen skirted security to climb to the top of the Empire State Building’s antenna, spread a peace-themed banner and seem to propose before being detained and eventually released from jail under monitored conditions.
The Stunt
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, known online as daring climbers, smashed through a barred security door on the 104th floor of the building Wednesday at noon that gives access to the broadcast antenna, according to a Manhattan criminal complaint. They hiked to the summit, some 1,454 feet above the city, and unfurled a black banner with the words: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” a phrase from Jimi Hendrix. People can be harmed by the very high frequency radio frequencies that the antenna broadcasts, therefore it had to be shut down, which meant a half hour wait before police and first responders could safely approach the pair.
Once the antenna was turned off, NYPD Emergency Service Unit officers climbed four ladders to the spire, led Nikolau and Kuznetsov down safely and took them into arrest without incident. The two smiled for photographers throughout the ascent, uploaded photographs of an apparent proposal and ring on social media and subsequently stated they “love New York”.
Appearance In Court And Fees
The East Orange, N.J. pair was indicted in Manhattan Criminal Court on various felony charges including reckless endangerment, burglary, criminal mischief, criminal tampering and criminal trespass. They didn’t plead. A judge sentenced them to low-level supervised release, with their next court hearing set for August 24.
Their attorney, Jason Krinsky, said prosecutors “overcharged” the case, were attempting to “send a message,” but the act was “a message of love.” Nikolau’s dad, Dmitry Nikolau, told ABC News the pair were already married and described the ascent as a “performance”.
The Rising Threat of Urban Climbing
It’s the latest in a series of high-profile climbs on famous structures in recent years, from climbers scaling the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center to activists climbing the Statue of Liberty, drawing attention to urban climbing as both an increasing safety risk and a form of protest or spectacle. Security at the Empire State Building was allegedly heightened after prior trespassers attempted to take pictures near the pinnacle, but officials now suspect the pair may have monitored building staff and utilized a worker entry to get by security.
The case underlines the continuous battle for New York City to reconcile landmark protection with the rising exposure of urban explorers who seek attention, mark personal milestones or make political statements through perilous climbs.