Full Breakdown
Ukraine Mulls Legalizing Pornography to Raise War Funds
9/7/2026, 2:32:50 PM
Proposed Legislation and Expected Revenue
Finance-committee chair Yaroslav Zhelezniak is advancing a bill that would legalize the production and distribution of pornography. Zhelezniak argues that the change could generate up to $25 million in tax revenue, which he says would be sufficient to purchase as many as 30,000 drones for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
Current Legal Environment and Industry Size
Under existing law, the creation, possession, or distribution of pornographic material is punishable by up to seven years in prison. Despite the prohibition, the adult-entertainment sector has expanded, operating with the tacit cooperation of corrupt police units that have demanded bribes and now seek taxes from content creators. The office of the Ukrainian General Prosecutor reports that three regions have received as much as $20,000 in bribes. According to Fenix International, the parent company of OnlyFans, 7,900 Ukrainians earned more than $131 million on the platform in 2023.
Key Actors and Their Positions
- Yaroslav Zhelezniak – Finance committee chair; proposes legalization to boost the war chest.
- Svitlana Dvornikova – OnlyFans model; experienced a police raid that seized cash and equipment.
- Lesia Mykhalenko – Tax lawyer who has represented over 100 models; calls the criminalization “a victimless crime” that burdens the legal system.
- Volodymyr Zelensky – President of Ukraine; said he will have parliament consider Zhelezniak’s legislation after a petition highlighted the tax contributions of creators.
Official Statements & Responses
Zhelezniak described the situation as “tragicomic,” noting that creators either evade taxes and face criminal charges or pay taxes and risk prosecution for pornography. Mykhalenko argued that prosecuting adult-content workers diverts resources from the national defense. President Zelensky responded to a petition signed by more than 25,000 people—including Dvornikova’s claim of having paid $900,000 in taxes—by pledging parliamentary review of the proposed law.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They had a list of webcam models, and knew all their addresses,” — Svitlana Dvornikova — Svitlana Dvornikova
