Couple charged after scaling Empire State Building in New York City
A New York couple who climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna were charged with reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, and will remain under supervision pending trial.
Angelina Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, were each charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and an additional count for climbing the Empire State Building’s antenna on Wednesday, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. The pair, dressed in dark clothing and masks, unfurled a flag on the antenna that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
Both defendants entered not-guilty pleas. Because the case is not bail-eligible, they will remain free under supervision while awaiting a possible trial. At a downtown Manhattan courthouse, Kuznetsov told reporters, “We’ll answer later. Right now we’re not ready. We just need to relax.”
Their attorney, Jason Krinsky, said the couple did not pose a danger to the public, noting that wind speeds were low at the time and that the Empire State Building had indicated there was no immediate risk to tenants, visitors or observation-deck guests. The couple is expected to return to their home in New Jersey after the hearing.
Security personnel alerted police at about 11:15 a.m. to a possible breach at the building’s antenna. The complaint states that a lock on a security door to the 104th floor was broken, causing roughly $2,000 in damage, and that the antenna’s high-frequency radio signals had to be powered down before officers could approach. Police officers climbed approximately 1,250 feet to reach the intruders, describing the situation as “highly dangerous” because the couple remained near the broadcast antenna.
Prosecutors said Kuznetsov told police the stunt was intended to “do something special for his engagement.” Photographs posted on Instagram show the couple at the top of the building, with Nikolau later indicating that police had confiscated a ring. The pair, originally from Russia and featured in Netflix’s 2024 documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” have nearly 2 million Instagram followers. They are scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 24.