KYIV: Ukraine is considering legalising its pornography industry as the country struggles with mounting financial pressures caused by the prolonged war with Russia. A bill seeking to legalise the industry has been introduced in parliament, with supporters arguing that regulation could generate additional tax revenue for the cash-strapped government.
The proposal was introduced by opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak, who estimates that legalisation could generate up to $25 million annually. Supporters have linked the potential revenue to military spending, suggesting it could help finance the purchase of thousands of drones needed for the war effort.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that the issue can be considered by parliament. The bill reportedly passed its first reading in July and is expected to face a second vote as lawmakers debate the proposed changes.
Pornography is currently prohibited under Ukrainian law, with violations potentially carrying prison sentences of up to seven years. However, adult content is produced and distributed online despite the legal restrictions, leaving authorities with difficulties in regulating the sector and collecting taxes.
The issue has also gained public attention following a petition submitted to Zelenskyy by content creator Svitlana Dvornikova, calling for changes to the existing legal framework.
According to reports cited in the supplied material, thousands of Ukrainian creators earned substantial sums through platforms such as OnlyFans in 2023, highlighting the scale of the largely unregulated digital market.
If approved, legalisation could bring the industry under a formal regulatory and taxation framework. The proposal, however, remains politically and socially contentious as Ukraine balances wartime financial needs with legal and public-policy considerations.
