Russian Rooftop Climbers Propose on Empire State Building, Spark NYC Police Response

Ivan "Vanya" Birkus and Angela Nicolaou, Russian rooftop climbers and stars of the Netflix documentary "Rooftoppers: A Love Story," caused a stir in New York City by illegally climbing the Empire State Building and proposing marriage atop its 102 floors. On July 1, 2026, the couple ascended approximately 450 meters without ropes or harnesses, spending about half an hour on the roof where they waved a flag reading, "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." At the climax, Birkus knelt and proposed to Nicolaou, an event broadcast live by local TV channels and prompting numerous 911 calls.

After descending, the pair were detained by police, who are investigating how they accessed the skyscraper's summit. The building's management assured the public that no one was in danger and suggested more conventional ways to propose on the Empire State Building's observation deck. Birkus and Nicolaou are known for their daring climbs, including a documented ascent of Malaysia's Merdeka 118 tower, the world's second tallest building, where they spent about 30 hours inside, evading construction workers and leaving the country without legal consequences.

In a 2024 Variety interview, the couple revealed they recently moved to New York seeking new adventures and hinted at future climbs without disclosing specific targets. Their high-risk lifestyle and this latest stunt have again drawn attention to the legality and safety of urban climbing.

Summary: Russian rooftop climbers Ivan Birkus and Angela Nicolaou illegally climbed New York's Empire State Building and proposed marriage on its roof, causing a police response and media coverage. They were detained after the event, which was part of their ongoing high-risk climbing exploits documented by Netflix.