CRIME & LAW

New York arrests Netflix-featured climbers atop Empire State Building

PUBLISHED Jul 2, 2026, 11:39 AM ET

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New York City police arrested two Russian climbers, Ivan Beerkus (legally Ivan Kuznetsov) and Angela Nikolau, on Wednesday after they illegally scaled the spire of the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan. The pair, previously featured in a 2024 Netflix documentary, bypassed security to reach a narrow platform near the top of the 1,454-foot landmark. There they unfurled a large banner bearing a peace message, filmed a marriage proposal, and posted images of the engagement and ring on social media. The unauthorized ascent prompted a rapid response by the NYPD Emergency Service Unit, which safely retrieved and detained the climbers.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2024 Netflix documentary features Russian daredevils
Wednesday afternoon climbers scale Empire State spire
Wednesday afternoon security protocols reportedly bypassed
Wednesday afternoon banner unfurled with peace message
Wednesday afternoon Kuznetsov proposes marriage atop spire
Shortly afterward engagement images posted on social media
Shortly afterward NYPD Emergency Service Unit responds
Later body camera footage released by police commissioner

News Intelligence

This incident highlights potential security gaps in iconic landmarks. If you're planning a visit, be aware of possible disruptions due to such stunts. It's also a reminder to think twice before sharing or endorsing risky, illegal activities on social media.