Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
A day in the life of the Dark Lord of the Sith - who knew he does his own laundry? Walks his own dog? And does the occasional bit of embroidery?
Darth Vader may have been bent on galactic domination, but his Ukrainian namesake enjoys more mundane pursuits.
The Ukrainian citizen, who has changed his name to Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, ran for the job of mayor of Odessa in October 2015, his political backers dressed as Stormtroopers. Despite a statue of the Dark Lord recently replacing one of Lenin in the town, in an effort to erase the city's communist past, Vader lost the election.
He carries on in his trademark black outfit and is a regular sight about town in the major port city on southern Ukraine's Black Sea coast.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, dressed as the Star Wars character Darth Vader, walks his dog in a park in Odessa, Dec. 3, 2015.
When not campaigning for public office, Vader enjoys caring for his dog and cat in the large apartment he shares with his wife and children.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
The Ukrainian citizen, who officially changed his name to Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, is a regular sight around Odessa, a major port city on Ukraine's southern Black Sea coast.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Darth Mykolaiovych Vader rides a local bus.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Vader pretends to clean his teeth in the bathroom of his apartment in Odessa.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Vader irons his cloak at home.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Vader waits for sunrise on the roof of his apartment block.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Vader takes a shower... clearly not for real with all that plastic wear.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Vader hangs out with Star Wars buds, Chewbacca and a Stormtrooper, in a cafe in Odessa.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Vader has fans in real life too.
His popularity is likely 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 economic crisis and a violent separatist conflict.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Of course, The Dark Lord enjoys hanging out at night to do his lightsaber exercises.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
The Dark Lord is one with a horse.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
While waiting for the next Star Wars movie to be released, Vader settles down for some tv viewing.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Even Darth Vader needs to eat.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Darth Vader tries to help a woman exit a tram in Odessa.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
Vader shares cooking chores with his wife.
Darth Vader alive and well in Ukraine
At the end of a long day resting in bed, leaving room for his wife.