Being Darth Vader

Darth Mykolaiovych Vader is a local icon in Odessa, Ukraine’s main port city. Not only did he run for mayoral office in late 2015, but Vader also walks around town in the classic Star Wars villain’s costume. Below, are a series of photos depicting a day in the life of the Ukrainian Darth Vader.

Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the ‘Star Wars’ character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he irons his cloak at his apartments in Odessa. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the Star Wars character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he speaks to a woman while walking his dog in a park in Odessa, Ukraine, December 3, 2015. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the Star Wars character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he rides on a tram in Odessa, Ukraine, December 3, 2015. Darth Vader was bent on galactic domination, but his Ukrainian namesake enjoys more mundane pursuits: local politics, walking the family dog and a spot of embroidery. The Ukrainian citizen, who has changed his name to Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, ran for the post of local mayor in October, his political backers dressed as Stormtroopers. In his trademark black outfit, he is a regular sight around Odessa, a major port city on southern Ukraine's Black Sea coast. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko PICTURE 4 OF 22 - SEARCH "VALENTYN VADER" FOR ALL IMAGES - RTX1Y7XW

Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the Star Wars character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he rides on a tram in Odessa. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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Darth Mykolaiovych Vader (R), who is dressed as the Star Wars character Darth Vader, and people dressed as Star Wars characters Chewbacca (L) and a Stormtrooper pose for a picture as they select products in a grocery store in Odessa, Ukraine, December 3, 2015. Darth Vader was bent on galactic domination, but his Ukrainian namesake enjoys more mundane pursuits: local politics, walking the family dog and a spot of embroidery. The Ukrainian citizen, who has changed his name to Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, ran for the post of local mayor in October, his political backers dressed as Stormtroopers. In his trademark black outfit, he is a regular sight around Odessa, a major port city on southern Ukraine's Black Sea coast. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko PICTURE 7 OF 22 - SEARCH "VALENTYN VADER" FOR ALL IMAGES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1Y7XM

Darth Mykolaiovych Vader (right), who is dressed as the Star Wars character Darth Vader, and people dressed as Star Wars characters Chewbacca (left) and a Stormtrooper pose for a picture as they select products in a grocery store in Odessa. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the 'Star Wars' character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he does embroidery at his apartments in Odessa, Ukraine, December 2, 2015. Darth Vader was bent on galactic domination, but his Ukrainian namesake enjoys more mundane pursuits: local politics, walking the family dog and a spot of embroidery. The Ukrainian citizen, who has changed his name to Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, ran for the post of local mayor in October, his political backers dressed as Stormtroopers. In his trademark black outfit, he is a regular sight around Odessa, a major port city on southern Ukraine's Black Sea coast. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko PICTURE 16 OF 22 - SEARCH "VALENTYN VADER" FOR ALL IMAGES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1Y83T

Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the ‘Star Wars’ character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he does embroidery at his apartment in Odessa. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the ‘Star Wars’ character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he takes a shower in a bathroom at his apartment in Odessa. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the 'Star Wars' character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he reads a book in bed at his apartments in Odessa, Ukraine, December 2, 2015. Darth Vader was bent on galactic domination, but his Ukrainian namesake enjoys more mundane pursuits: local politics, walking the family dog and a spot of embroidery. The Ukrainian citizen, who has changed his name to Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, ran for the post of local mayor in October, his political backers dressed as Stormtroopers. In his trademark black outfit, he is a regular sight around Odessa, a major port city on southern Ukraine's Black Sea coast. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko PICTURE 21 OF 22 - SEARCH "VALENTYN VADER" FOR ALL IMAGES - RTX1Y83R

Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the ‘Star Wars’ character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he reads a book in bed at his apartment in Odessa, Ukraine. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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