A recent incident involving Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a 24-year-old U.S. tourist, has drawn significant attention. Polyakov was arrested after venturing onto North Sentinel Island, part of an Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. The island is recognized as a protected tribal area, home to the Sentinelese, a community that has lived in voluntary isolation from the outside world.

The Arrest and Circumstances

Polyakov allegedly reached North Sentinel Island over the weekend and attempted to attract the tribe’s attention by leaving a can of Diet Coke and a coconut on the shore. He reportedly used a whistle to call the Sentinelese while filming the encounter.

Indian authorities stated that Polyakov was apprehended late Monday, approximately two days after his unauthorized landing. HGS Dhaliwal, the police chief of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, confirmed that he blew his whistle for about an hour, though there was no response from the islanders, and he was on the shore for only a brief period.

Legal Implications

Travel to North Sentinel Island is prohibited within a three-nautical-mile radius, as it is classified as a tribal reserve. Polyakov’s actions have raised concerns among rights organizations like Survival International, which described the situation as “deeply disturbing.” They emphasized that such recklessness jeopardizes both the tourist’s safety and the isolated tribe’s health, particularly due to their vulnerability to external diseases.

This marks Polyakov’s third attempt to reach North Sentinel Island, with previous efforts thwarted by hotel staff in October 2024 and unsuccessful in January 2025. His current journey involved a perilous nine-hour voyage in a motorized inflatable boat.

Historical context suggests a high risk involved in contacting the Sentinelese. The last known American visitor to the island, John Allen Chau, was killed in 2018 when he made a similar attempt.

About Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov

Polyakov identifies himself as a “thrill seeker” and is known for sharing his adventures on social media platforms, notably under the alias “Neo-Orientalist.” Originally from Arizona and of Ukrainian descent, his online activities include visits to conflict regions and filming content that often challenges legal and societal boundaries.

The Sentinelese Tribe and North Sentinel Island

North Sentinel Island remains shrouded in mystery as its inhabitants have maintained their isolation for thousands of years. The Sentinelese primarily hunt and gather food using traditional methods, exhibiting a deep-seated suspicion of outsiders. They are known to defend their territory vigorously, which underscores a long-standing cultural practice of rejecting external contact. Estimates of their population vary, suggesting as few as several dozen to a few hundred individuals.

Concluding Remarks

Mykhailo Polyakov faces legal repercussions, with potential prison time ranging from three to eight years. The Indian government maintains stringent regulations regarding contact with the Sentinelese, aimed at preserving their way of life and protecting both the tribe and visitors from unintended consequences of such interactions.