American YouTuber arrested after illegal visit to North Sentinel Island
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Apr 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 5
In a shocking echo of past incidents, a 24-year-old Ukrainian-American YouTuber has been arrested by Indian authorities after illegally setting foot on North Sentinel Island—one of the world’s most isolated and heavily protected regions.
Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, known for his daring travel videos and controversial adventures, reportedly traveled alone by dinghy to the remote island, which lies in the Bay of Bengal and is part of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This is reported by News.com.au and other media outlets. The island is home to the Sentinelese, an uncontacted Indigenous tribe that has resisted outside contact for thousands of years. Indian law strictly prohibits any approach to within five nautical miles of the island in order to protect the tribe from exposure to diseases and preserve their isolated way of life.
Up to five years in prison
According to police reports, Polyakov made the nine-hour boat journey with basic offerings—a can of Diet Coke and a coconut—hoping to peacefully initiate contact. Once he reached the island, he used a whistle in an attempt to get the attention of the Sentinelese. He later told authorities that he was ignored by the tribe and left after only a few minutes, taking with him a handful of sand and video footage.
Despite the brief encounter, Polyakov’s actions were in clear violation of Indian laws under the Foreigners Act and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation. He was arrested shortly after returning to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman Islands, and now faces up to five years in prison.
A severe threat to the tribe’s health
The incident has drawn international attention, not only because of the island’s mystique but also because of the clear legal and ethical boundaries Polyakov chose to cross. North Sentinel Island is considered one of the last places on Earth where humans live completely disconnected from the modern world. Any outside contact is not only illegal but also considered a severe threat to the tribe’s health and survival.
Missionary John Allen Chau killed in 2018
Indian authorities have long maintained a strict no-contact policy to protect the Sentinelese, especially in the wake of the 2018 death of American missionary John Allen Chau. Chau was killed by tribe members after illegally attempting to visit the island with the intent of preaching Christianity. His death served as a grim warning to outsiders about the dangers of violating the tribe’s isolation.
Pushing the limits
Polyakov, who previously filmed himself traveling through Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, is known for pushing the limits of extreme travel. His arrest has sparked outrage among anthropologists, human rights organizations, and Indigenous rights groups. Many have criticized the stunt as irresponsible and attention-seeking, warning that such actions put the tribe in danger of exposure to infectious diseases.
Strong reactions
The arrest of Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov for illegally entering North Sentinel Island has elicited strong reactions from various individuals and organizations, highlighting the gravity of his actions.
Survival International, an organization dedicated to protecting Indigenous rights, condemned Polyakov's attempt, emphasizing the potential health risks to the Sentinelese people. They stated that such actions could expose the tribe to diseases to which they have no immunity, posing a significant threat to their survival.
An article in El País criticized Polyakov's motivations, questioning the lengths individuals might go to gain social media followers. The piece highlighted the recklessness of risking both personal safety and the well-being of an uncontacted tribe for online attention.
El País reported the following:
«It’s unbelievable that someone could be so reckless and idiotic,» Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, an international organization that defends indigenous rights, said in a statement, calling the action «deeply disturbing.» «This person’s actions have not only endangered his own life, but also those of the entire Sentinelese indigenous people,» she added.
«It’s unbelievable that someone could be so reckless and idiotic»
Pearce says to Survival International that the Sentinelese have made their wish to avoid outsiders incredibly clear over the years. –I’m sure many remember the 2018 incident in which an American missionary, John Allen Chau, was killed by them after landing on their island to try to convert them to Christianity, she says
Meticulous preparation
Indian authorities expressed concern over Polyakov's deliberate planning and repeated attempts to access the restricted island. They noted that his actions were not impulsive but involved meticulous preparation, including studying sea conditions and equipping himself with navigation tools. This level of intent underscores the seriousness of the violation.
These perspectives collectively underscore the consensus that Polyakov's actions were not only illegal but also irresponsible, endangering both himself and the Sentinelese community.
At the moment, Polyakov remains in custody and is expected to appear in court in Port Blair. The case serves as yet another reminder of the delicate balance between curiosity, digital fame, and the rights of Indigenous peoples to live undisturbed in the way they choose. North Sentinel Island is not a place for adventure tourism—it is a sovereign homeland for one of the last uncontacted peoples on Earth.
