6 hrs ago
Ukraine’s Pornography Legalization Plan Aims to Fund Wartime Drones
Ukraine is fighting a long war with Russia and needs more money.
Some lawmakers want to make pornography legal so the government can tax it.
They estimate this could raise about $25 million each year.
That money could help buy around 30,000 drones for the war.
The industry already exists, but it operates outside the law.
This has caused problems because creators can be investigated for making content and also questioned about taxes.
One creator started a petition after being contacted by tax authorities, and it collected more than 25,000 signatures.
The proposal has passed one vote in parliament but still needs another vote.
Supporters say even a small, reliable income source could help Ukraine pay for its defense.
Ukrainian lawmakers are considering legalizing pornography to generate tax revenue during the war with Russia.
The proposal is expected to raise about $25 million annually, potentially funding roughly 30,000 drones.
Ukraine’s adult-content industry generated an estimated $131 million for 8,000 OnlyFans creators in 2023.
The push gained momentum after tax authorities pursued creators for unpaid taxes under the existing legal ban.
The bill passed its first parliamentary vote and is awaiting a second reading amid thousands of pornography-related criminal cases.
- Who
- Ukrainian lawmakers, adult-content creators, tax authorities, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are involved in the issue.
- What
- Ukraine is considering legalizing pornography and taxing the industry.
- Where
- Ukraine.
- When
- The bill passed its first reading and is awaiting a second reading; more than 2,300 related criminal cases were opened in the first six months of 2025.
- Why
- The proposal aims to raise tax revenue for the war, address the industry’s legal uncertainty, and reduce problems arising from unpaid taxes and enforcement.
Supporters of Legalization
Concerns About Legalization
War financing
Supporters of Legalization
Supporters say legalization could create a steady tax stream and help pay for drones and other defense needs.
Concerns About Legalization
The projected $25 million is small compared with Ukraine’s reported annual defense needs of about $120 billion.
Legal clarity
Supporters of Legalization
Supporters argue that legal status would allow creators to pay taxes without effectively admitting they are violating the law.
Concerns About Legalization
The existing ban reflects concerns about the pornography industry, including Ukraine’s past association with exploitation of women in the sex trade.
Enforcement
Supporters of Legalization
Legalization could reduce the gray area in which police allegedly demanded bribes from people working in the industry.
Concerns About Legalization
The proposal would change how Ukraine regulates and publicly views an industry that has operated outside the law.
Key facts
- Estimated annual tax revenue
- About $25 million
- Estimated 2023 industry revenue
- $131 million generated for about 8,000 OnlyFans creators in Ukraine
- Potential military funding
- The proposed revenue could purchase about 30,000 drones
- Ukraine’s reported daily war cost
- About $190 million this year
- Reported budget gap
- $27 billion
- Pornography-related cases
- More than 2,300 criminal cases opened in the first six months of 2025
- Petition support
- More than 25,000 signatures
Sources
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