An American YouTuber named Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, was arrested by Indian authorities after he reportedly traveled to North Sentinel Island. The island is home to the Sentinelese, an uncontacted tribe. It is illegal under Indian law to visit the island to protect the tribe from outside contact.
The incident took place on March 29, 2025. American YouTuber Polyakov, known for his travel channel Neo-Orientalist, made a short trip to the island. He left a can of Diet Coke and a coconut on the beach and tried to get the tribe's attention using a whistle. He also collected sand samples and recorded his actions for a video.
Local fishermen saw him return from the island and informed the police. He was arrested on March 31 and brought before a court. The court ordered him to remain in custody for three days for questioning. His actions have caused criticism from many people, including experts and human rights groups.
Why is North Sentinel Island off-limits?
According to Fox News, North Sentinel Island is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. The Sentinelese tribe has lived there for thousands of years. They have little to no contact with the outside world. The Indian government protects their isolation by banning travel to the island.
This rule is in place for two reasons. First, the tribe does not have immunity to common diseases. Outside contact could expose them to illness. Second, past attempts to approach the tribe have ended in violence or death. Visitors are often met with arrows or other forms of resistance.
The government enforces a three-mile exclusion zone around the island. This means no one is allowed to come close by boat or aircraft. Breaking this rule is a crime under Indian law. American YouTuber Polyakov ignored this and entered the zone without permission.
What did American YouTuber Polyakov do on the island?
As reported by People Magazine, American YouTuber Polyakov arrived near North Sentinel Island on a boat. Reports say he spent about five minutes on the beach. He brought a can of Diet Coke and a coconut as gifts. He did not meet any members of the tribe during his short stay.
He used binoculars to look for the tribe from a distance. He also blew a whistle for a long time, hoping to get their attention. After that, he took some sand samples and returned to his boat. All of this was filmed for a video that he planned to share on his YouTube channel.
No Sentinelese were seen during the visit, and no violence occurred. Still, the visit raised concerns. Even though the tribe was not seen, his actions were considered a risk to their safety and a violation of the law.
What has been the reaction to his arrest?
According to Global News, American YouTuber Polyakov's arrest has led to strong reactions. Experts in anthropology and human rights have spoken out against what he did. They say it was dangerous for both him and the tribe. The tribe could have been harmed by exposure to germs he carried.
Human rights groups also said his visit showed a lack of respect for the tribe’s privacy. Some compared his actions to those of John Allen Chau, an American missionary who was killed by the Sentinelese in 2018 after trying to make contact.
Social media users also criticized American YouTuber Polyakov. Many called him irresponsible for using a protected tribe for online views. Others questioned why he would risk his life and the tribe’s health for a YouTube video. Indian authorities have reminded the public that laws exist for a reason and will be enforced.
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American YouTuber Mykhailo Polyakov's journey to North Sentinel Island was not only illegal—it was dangerous for all parties. The Sentinelese have been legally protected for years to preserve them from outside contact. Polyakov's visit, however brief, might have had disastrous repercussions.
His arrest reminds us that such regulations are meant to keep individuals safe. Coming into contact with uncontacted tribes may cause sickness or even death. Even though no one was injured this time, it could have gone much more seriously wrong.
Experts and human rights organizations keep warning against such behavior. The aim is to protect uncontacted tribes from harm and with dignity. Polyakov's case will most likely be another illustration of why such rules have to be obeyed.
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