Angela and Ivan: THE POWER OF LOVE
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov are Russian, and have featured in the Netflix documentary film Skywalkers: A Love Story. They were detained soon after, and they kissed yet again, with cameras swarming them. They spent their happy night in different cells near Manhattan’s criminal court.
By Amit Sengupta in Delhi
“When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
As a police helicopter soaring above filmed their ‘illegal’ act, this meaningful message of love was written on the banner which the young lovers unfolded after scaling the top of the New Empire Building in New York, which was inaugurated in 1931 as the world’s tallest. The building showcased in the thrilling climax of the box office super hit, King Kong, in 1933.
Dressed in black, the athletic Russian couple, she wearing a backless dress, kissed each other while unfurling the love and peace banner, literally touching the sky. Once they descended to the ground, the young man proposed to his lady love. She, obviously, accepted.
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov are Russian, and have featured in the Netflix documentary film Skywalkers: A Love Story. They were detained soon after, and they kissed yet again, with cameras swarming them. They spent their happy night in different cells near Manhattan’s criminal court.
Escorted by the New York Police, they seemed calm, composed and determined. They were released soon after even as they became sensational global news. Especially in the time of the Trump war and invasion waged in Iran (which he lost), and the on-going Israeli genocide in Gaza, and now Lebanon.
They were charged with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct and possession of burglar’s tools, according to The Guardian (July 2, 2026).
The London newspaper reported: “Nikolau, 33, and Kuznetsov, a 32-year-old also known as Ivan Beerkus, are Russian nationals who share an address in New Jersey, records show. They are prominent practitioners of the underground thrill-seeking activity of 'rooftopping' in which self-styled urban outlaws scale skyscrapers and other tall buildings to take breathtaking photographs and video, or make political statements. Kuznetsov’s Instagram account, @beerkus , has more than half-a-million followers, while that of his partner has 1.8 million.
Quickly, taking a cue from their sky-walking ‘love act’ the Cockroach Janta Party,created a political spoof (see the last image), which was widely shared on the social media.
Many youngsters are now on an indefinite fast seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him and the government responsible for the suicides of several students, widespread corruption in the Indian education system, after the NEET leak, the CBSE botch-up and similar leaks across the nation, with joblessness at an all time high.
As the fast reaches the 10th day, with fasting students falling sick, more protesters are joining the hunger strike. Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk too is sitting on fast.
Predictably, the Modi regime has refused to react. Instead, Pradhan called the students “Dehshatgardo ki B team” – meaning the ‘B team of terrorists’.
This has only consolidated and inflamed this spontaneous and popular movement.
With millions of social media followers, mostly young, the CJP protests have rocked the nation. The Jantar Mantar protests have drawn thousands from across the country, young and old, and is symbolic of a huge secular and radical churning against this dictatorial and arrogant regime in Delhi. Almost all political parties, barring the BJP, have joined them in solidarity, with several top opposition leaders like Mahua Moitra and Sanjay Singh visiting them at Jantar Mantar.
The prime minister has not uttered one word in condolence for the students who have committed suicide, similar to his abject silence on the atrocities and mass displacement in Manipur, including the parading of women, stripped naked, on the streets.
However, the 'Skywalkers', and their love story, has clearly struck a chord with youngsters, who are out there in the scorching heat, speaking their own, beautiful, resilient language of love, passion and rebellion. The sudden arrival of rain in Delhi is yet another sign, that if, for love and peace, sky is the limit, the fight for justice is also flying high.
Amit Sengupta is Editor, independentink.in