Ukraine lawmakers push to legalise pornography to fund military drones

Ukraine is moving to legalise pornography to raise funds for its ongoing war against Russia. Lawmakers expect the legal industry to bring in about $25 million in annual tax revenue. This money could purchase 30,000 drones for the military.

The Financial Gap

Ukraine faces a massive budget gap of $27 billion. In 2023, the country's adult industry generated $131 million for 8,000 OnlyFans creators. Meanwhile, the daily cost of the war for Kyiv reached $190 million this year. Lawmakers note that while $25 million is small compared to the $120 billion needed yearly for defence, every steady income source helps.

Legal Shift

Pornography has operated without legal status for years in Ukraine, leaving workers vulnerable to police bribes. In the first six months of 2025 alone, authorities opened more than 2,300 criminal cases linked to porn. Tax officials recently began chasing content creators for unpaid taxes. Creators faced an impossible choice because paying tax meant admitting to breaking the law.

Key Figures and Public Push

Yaroslav Zhelezniak, who leads the finance committee in Ukraine's parliament, is driving the legislative push. Creator Svitlana Dvornikova launched a petition for legalisation after her own run-in with tax authorities. Her petition gathered over 25,000 signatures. Additionally, OFM Models agency manager Oksana reported that enquiries from women wanting to join the industry doubled after the bill passed its first reading. The bill now awaits a second reading in parliament.

Context

Governments during wartime often explore unconventional revenue streams when traditional tax bases shrink and defense expenditures soar. Bringing an informal or grey-market economy into the formal tax system allows states to collect revenue while simultaneously regulating the industry and protecting workers from extortion.