Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a 24-year-old American YouTuber known for his adventurous content, has been arrested after illegally attempting to contact the isolated Sentinelese tribe on North Sentinel Island, India.
The Sentinelese are recognized as one of the world’s last uncontacted peoples, and Indian law strictly prohibits outsiders from approaching the island to protect the tribe’s way of life and prevent the introduction of diseases to which they have no immunity.
The YouTuber reportedly traveled for nine hours in a dinghy to reach the island. Upon arrival, he left a can of Diet Coke and a coconut on the shore as offerings and used a whistle in an attempt to attract the attention of the tribe.
He spent approximately five minutes on the island, during which he collected sand samples and recorded footage for his YouTube channel. This incident marks his third attempt to make contact with the Sentinelese, following previous unsuccessful efforts in October 2024 and January 2025.
Indian authorities arrested Polyakov upon his return, charging him with violating laws designed to protect indigenous tribes. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Survival International, an organization advocating for tribal peoples’ rights, condemned his actions as reckless and dangerous, emphasizing the potential health risks to the Sentinelese. The tribe has a history of resisting contact; in 2018, American missionary John Allen Chau was killed during an illegal visit to the island.
This incident underscores the importance of respecting laws established to protect uncontacted tribes and highlights the potential consequences of attempting unauthorized contact.
