Darth Vader

Star Wars fans know Darth Vader as the Dark Side-corrupted father of Luke Skywalker, bent on galactic domination, but his Ukrainian namesake is known for his more mundane pursuits, which include local politics, walking the family dog and embroidery. The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, dressed as the famous Star Wars villain, lives with his wife and children in a quiet apartment block in Odessa, on Ukraine's Black Sea coast. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters) While Star Wars fans have waited 10 years for the next film instalment in the franchise – Star Wars: The Force Awakens is due in theatres next week – residents of the Ukrainian port city of Odessa have become used to regular sightings of the original films' arch villain, clad in his famous black helmet and cape. In his trademark black outfit, Darth Mykolaiovych Vader is a regular sight around Odessa. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters) Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, unlike his namesake in the Star Wars films, has built a reputation around being a ruler for the people, of the people. Here he is riding a streetcar on Dec. 3. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters) Darth Mykolaiovych Vader tries to lend a hand whenever he can. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters) He also caused a stir in October with a run for the Odessa mayoral office. At one point a supporter, dressed as Chewbacca, was kicked out of a polling station and then arrested for failing to provide the appropriate documents at a traffic stop. Ukrainian police posted this photo to their Instagram account: Chewbacca appeared in court today in Odessa and was fined $7.50. Ukraine: never boring. (via @ItsBorys ) pic.twitter.com/uo57cdJl6H There was also a Vader who made a run for president last year as the leader of the Internet Party of Ukraine. There's no confirmation that it was Mykolaiovych Vader, but here is the candidate during a rally in front of the Ukrainian Central Elections Commission, in Kyiv, in April 2014. (Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters) Darth Mykolaiovych Vader's popularity may be less a result of any significant support for the Dark Side among average Ukrainians than a sign of public frustration with the political status quo amid an economic crisis and a violent separatist conflict. Some Odessa residents, meanwhile, clearly prefer the evil Galactic Empire to communism of the past. In October, artist Alexander Milov refashioned a monument to Soviet revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin into a statue of Darth Vader. Darth Mykolaiovych Vader attended the unveiling. In an interview with Reuters in December, Darth Mykolaiovych Vader said he was taking things slowly after his recent election loss, but had not abandoned hope of gaining a top government job. When not campaigning for public office, Vader enjoys embroidery, home improvement and caring for his golden retriever in the apartment he shares in Odessa with his wife and children. Darth Mykolaiovych Vader walks his golden retriever in an Odessa park. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters) When he isn't campaigning, Darth Mykolaiovych Vader leads a fairly mundane life, judging from the photos taken by Reuters' photographer Valentyn Ogrienko for a recent feature story. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters) Vader demonstrates his soft spot for animals at a horse stable near his Odessa home. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters)