safety
Who climbed the Empire State Building? Here's what we know.
By Jesse Zanger at CBS4 Miami
· July 2, 2026
· 3 min read
The two people arrested for climbing New York City's Empire State Building where they apparently got engaged Wednesday afternoon have been identified as Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33 — well known as the "Skywalkers" featured in a popular Netflix documentary.They live in East Ora
Key takeaway Kuznetsov's social media page identifies him as Ivan Beerkus and Nikolau's page identifies her as Angela.
Why this matters in The Miami
For Miami residents, the daring stunt by the "Skywalkers" at the Empire State Building may seem like a distant concern, but it raises questions about safety and security in high-rise buildings. As a city with its own share of iconic skyscrapers, such as those in Brickell and Miami Beach, Miami must consider the potential risks of similar incidents. The fact that the couple was able to climb the Empire State Building's transmission tower, which poses significant hazards due to radio wave exposure, is particularly troubling. Miami's own buildings, many of which are located in flood-prone areas, must be secured against not only natural disasters but also unauthorized access. The incident serves as a reminder for local authorities, including the Miami Police Department and Miami-Dade Police, to review and strengthen security protocols in high-rise buildings to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The two people arrested for climbing New York City's Empire State Building where they apparently got engaged Wednesday afternoon have been identified as Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33 — well known as the "Skywalkers" featured in a popular Netflix documentary.They live in East Ora
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jesse Zanger at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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