New Delhi: Ukraine is considering decriminalising the production and distribution of pornography as lawmakers look for new sources of tax revenue in the face of a financial crisis from its war with Russia.
The first reading of the bill was passed in the country’s parliament in July by 231 votes to eight, with three abstentions. It is now awaiting a second reading. Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak has backed the bill.
The proposal does not legalise child pornography or sexual abuse material. It would legalise pornographic material involving consenting adults.
Pornography in Ukraine
Pornography is currently prohibited under Article 301 of Ukraine’s criminal code. It is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Thus, the adult content industry is largely underground in Ukraine. This creates an unusual situation where adult-content creators can earn money through platforms such as OnlyFans, but the content can still expose them to criminal prosecution.
Creator Svitlana Dvornikova retroactively paid about $900,000 in taxes, and subsequently the police raided her home last year to seize her electronics and $20,000 in cash.
Zhelezniak highlighted what he sees as a contradiction in the system.
“These women either don’t pay taxes and face criminal charges for that, or they pay taxes and get charged with violating pornography laws,” he told the Wall Street Journal.
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The war’s financial impact on Ukraine
More than four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is struggling to finance its defence needs. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that the country faced a $27 billion military funding gap and could begin facing shortages of drones and missiles early next year without additional funding.
The cost of fighting has also risen sharply. Ukrainian officials told Reuters that the war cost about $190 million a day in 2026, compared with $140 million in 2024.
Federal tax authorities discovered that nearly 8,000 Ukrainian OnlyFans creators earned more than $131 million through the platform in 2023 alone.
But because producing pornography remains criminalised, much of this activity has operated in the shadow economy.
The move is expected to generate roughly $25 million in tax revenue. According to Zhelezniak, the amount would be enough to purchase 30,000 drones for the war.
Lawmakers argue that the point is to tax an existing industry rather than leave its earnings outside the formal economy.
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‘Taxpayers rather than criminals’
Supporters frame this as fairness and safety for creators. Tax lawyer Lesia Mykhalenko, who has represented over 100 models, called it a “victimless crime” that burdens the legal system when the country should focus on defence.
Agency head Oksana, who manages adult content creators at Ukrainian agency OFM Models, told The Washington Post that the state would finally see these women as taxpayers rather than criminals.
“Women were waiting for a signal from the state; this is the moment when the state finally saw these women as taxpayers rather than criminals,” she said.
Meanwhile, critics have focused on morality and exploitation. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko warned in parliament that the law could turn Ukraine into a “pornographic hub” and raised child abuse concerns.
The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches also demanded the bill be withdrawn, saying it harms the country’s morals and health.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)