[108357] Russian couple arrested after a daring marriage proposal atop the Empire State Building in New York

A dangerous marriage proposal on a skyscraper ends in arrest

A Russian couple, climbers Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov (known as Vanya Beerkus), were arrested by the New York Police Department after climbing to the spire of the famous skyscraper 'Empire State Building'. According to Readovka, known for its pro-Russian stances, the two unfurled a banner that read: "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." During the climb, which was performed at a height of 443 meters, Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau.

The police responded quickly, and in footage released by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the two are seen being arrested without resistance. According to NEXTA Live, a channel with a critical leaning toward Russia, the incident forced authorities to temporarily close the observation deck and disconnect broadcasting antennas. The couple was charged with eight serious counts, including burglary, trespassing, reckless endangerment, and possession of burglary tools.

According to Ruslan Leviev, a channel associated with the Russian opposition, despite the heavy list of charges, it is possible the affair will end in a plea deal that includes a fine, as that is standard practice in the American legal system. Conversely, sources such as Абзац emphasize the severity of the act and note that New York law explicitly prohibits climbing buildings, an offense that can carry a year of imprisonment and heavy fines.

The couple, who previously became famous in the Netflix documentary "Skywalkers", received mixed reactions online. While some Russian channels, including Sputnik, praised the "courageous romance," other sources criticized the "madness" of the act that risked human lives and compromised the security of the building. It should be noted that at the same time, judicial authorities in Russia reported a completely different case of severe punishment in the Sakhalin region for criminal offenses, as reported by SakhalinMedia, unrelated to the event in New York.