Two people scaled the antenna spire of the Empire State Building in New York on Wednesday, unfurled a banner reading “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace,” and then staged what appeared to be a marriage proposal before being arrested. The New York Police Department confirmed that a man and a woman were taken into custody without incident and that no injuries were reported. US media identified them as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, also known as Ivan Kuznetsov, both Russian nationals known for climbing skyscrapers without safety equipment.

According to New York police, the pair face multiple charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct. Building management stated the ascent was unauthorised but posed no danger to tenants, visitors, or guests on the observation deck, which was temporarily evacuated. The couple, who were the subjects of the 2024 Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” posted images of the climb and an engagement ring on social media while still atop the structure.

It remains unclear how the two gained access to the antenna, which rises 443 metres above midtown Manhattan and is closed to the public. Preliminary law enforcement sources cited by US media suggest they may have entered through a maintenance hatch on the 103rd floor, though this has not been officially confirmed. Russian media reported that the pair have previously climbed landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and Shanghai Tower, and that they relocated to the United States several years ago.

The incident prompted a large police response, with streets around the building closed and a helicopter deployed. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet disclosed how the pair bypassed security at one of the city’s most heavily guarded landmarks.