New York was recently shaken by two experienced urban climbers who managed to scale the Empire State Building, reaching its spire more than 1,400 feet above Manhattan. It's the kind of stunt that looks like it's straight out of a film, but in reality, it raised more than a few eyebrows.
Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33, have now been released on supervised conditions after appearing in court over the incident. The pair are known for their high-altitude climbing content online and also featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
They are now facing a range of charges, with legal proceedings expected to continue over the coming months.
Charges Remain Despite Temporary Release
The couple who scaled the Empire State Building are out of jail on supervised release Thursday morning, 2 July, a day after the daring stunt.
Kuznetsov and Nikolau were arraigned on a wide range of charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, possession of burglar's tools, and disorderly conduct. While none of the charges were eligible for bail, the judge reportedly opted for supervised release until their next court appearance in August.
According to Manhattan prosecutors, the pair allegedly broke into a restricted section of the skyscraper overnight, damaging a security lock on the 104th floor before continuing their climb. Officials say the stunt wasn't just illegal entry, as it also created a serious safety risk for emergency teams and building security
Authorities have been firm in their response. Even New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani weighed in, pointing out that public proposals or celebrations should not involve illegal access to dangerous infrastructure.
'We want people to be proposing to those that they love. I would much prefer that they do so within the bounds of the law and on the ground,' he stated.
BREAKING: A Manhattan judge granted the alleged Empire State Building climbers supervised release… and they shared a massive kiss before descending the subway stairs. Story coming @Gothamist pic.twitter.com/RUlw8lLshl
— brittany.kriegstein (@BKriegstein) July 2, 2026
What's Waiting for Them?
The case will continue in court, with Kuznetsov and Nikolau due to return for their next hearing in August. At that stage, the proceedings are expected to move further into the evidence phase, where prosecutors will outline their case in detail and the defence will formally respond to the charges.
Both remain on supervised release while the legal process unfolds. If the case proceeds to trial and they are found guilty, potential penalties could include fines, restrictions, or a custodial sentence depending on how the court assesses the severity of the offences and the risk posed by the stunt.
If convicted, the couple could reportedly face up to seven years in prison.
The Viral Climb: Romantic or Risky?
On Wednesday, 1 July, footage circulating online shows the pair at the top of the Empire State Building, turning the stunt into an instant viral moment. The banner they unfurled carried a message reading: 'When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.'
It also appears to capture a proposal, with Kuznetsov going down on one knee toward Nikolau at the spire.
Social media reactions were largely supportive. Many users praised the bold gesture, saying Kuznetsov set the bar high. Others described the pair as unapologetic lovers, expressing admiration for how openly they display their affection and how deeply connected they appear.
On X, one user wrote: 'They're crazy about each other.'
Prosecutors, however, say the romantic or symbolic aspect doesn't change the legal reality. They argue the couple entered restricted areas, broke security mechanisms, and knowingly put themselves in extreme danger while also compromising building safety systems.
The defence has pushed back on the severity of the claims, arguing that the conditions on the day — including relatively low wind speeds — meant the situation was less hazardous than portrayed.
But officials maintain that the issue isn't just weather or outcome, but the deliberate breach of secure, protected infrastructure.
