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. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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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 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 apartment in Odessa, Ukraine. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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Darth Mykolaiovych Vader’s Darth Vader helmet sits on a shelf among icons at his apartment in Odessa. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)

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