American YouTuber Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov , 25, was arrested in March 2023 after spending about an hour on North Sentinel Island, part of India’s Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. He filmed the stunt, left a can of Diet Coke and a coconut as a "gift," and later defended his actions in a Dutch interview, claiming he was vaccinated and never intended direct contact.

Polyakov’s hour on North Sentinel Island and the Coke offering

According to police reports, Polyakov arrived by boat, blew a whistle to attract attention, and stayed on the island for roughly an hour before departing without any response from the Sentinelese. he later placed a can of Diet Coke and a coconut on the shore, saying the soda would "transport them thousands of years into the future." The footage was posted on his channel as "The Last Island Part 2," though he refused to disclose how he retained the video after authorities seized it.

Indian law bans any approach within three miles of the Sentinelese

Indian statutes prohibit outsiders from entering a three‑mile exclusion zone around North Sentinel Island, a measure designed to shield the tribe from disease and cultural disruption.. Police in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, charged Polyakov with violating these laws, noting that even limited "gift‑giving" is reserved for official teams of scientists and officials.

Previous attempts in October and January reveal a pattern

Investigators uncovered that Polyakov had tried to reach the island twice before his March 2023 arrest—once in October 2022 and again in January 2023, the latter in an inflatable kayak. These repeated incursions suggest a premeditated effort to breach the protected zone, rather than a spontaneous lapse in judgment.

Debate over ethics and disease risk after the video release

The video sparked fierce criticism from health experts who warn that even indircet contact can introduce pathogens to an immunologically naïve population. Polyakov told Dutch media he was vaccinated against flu and measles, but critics argue that many other diseases remain a threat. The incident has reignited a broader conversation about the morality of “viral tourism” and the responsibilities of content creators .

Will authorities pursue further charges against Polyakov?

While a case has already been registered for illegal entry , it remains unclear whether Indian prosecutors will seek additional penalties or a longer custodial sentence. The lack of a clear statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs leaves the legal outcome uncertain.