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Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus are internationally recognised urban climbers, or "rooftoppers," known for scaling some of the world's tallest skyscrapers and structures without official permission or safety harnesses. Their extraordinary relationship and shared passion for extreme climbing became the subject of the 2024 Netflix documentary, Skywalkers: A Love Story.

A breathtaking marriage proposal atop one of the world's most famous skyscrapers has captured global attention, but it also landed the couple behind bars. Russian rooftoppers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus were arrested after illegally climbing the antenna of New York City's Empire State Building, where they staged a dramatic proposal hundreds of metres above the streets of Manhattan.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, when the couple allegedly made their way into a restricted section of the landmark before climbing the antenna spire, reaching an astonishing height of nearly 1,454 feet (443 metres) above the city. Without any visible safety equipment, the pair balanced on the narrow structure, creating a jaw-dropping spectacle that quickly went viral across social media.

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Videos circulating online show the couple embracing high above the skyline before unfurling a black banner bearing the message, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace." Moments later, Ivan Beerkus appeared to go down on one knee, proposing to Angela Nikolau, who accepted before the two celebrated with a kiss against the dramatic New York backdrop.