The Ukrainian Parliament has rejected a bill that would have decriminalized the creation and distribution of pornography in the country, dealing a blow to adult content creators who had been pushing for changes to the law.
Background and Context
The proposed bill, known as Draft Law No. 12191, aimed to amend the Criminal Code of Ukraine to decriminalize the import, storage, transportation, production, mailing, sale, and distribution of pornographic materials by adults. However, it also increased criminal liability for the sale to minors or distribution among them of such materials.
The bill had been introduced in 2024 and was supported by the Parliamentary Committee on Law Enforcement Activities. In 2025, a petition created by OnlyFans model Svitlana Dvornikova gathered over 25,000 signatures, calling for President Volodymyr Zelensky to support the proposal.
The petition highlighted the issue of corruption in Ukraine's adult content sector, with Dvornikova noting that she and other creators had paid taxes to the state from their earnings on platforms like OnlyFans, only to face possible criminal charges. She also hinted at the possibility of bribing officials to avoid such charges.
Why it Matters to the Industry
The rejection of this bill is significant for adult content creators and platforms operating in Ukraine. The current law carries a prison sentence of three to five years for creating or distributing pornography, which can create a chilling effect on free expression and creativity in the industry.
Moreover, the corruption scheme uncovered by Ukrainian authorities earlier this month, in which regional police officials allegedly accepted bribes to turn a blind eye to underground pornography production outfits, highlights the need for decriminalization. If creators are forced to operate in the shadows, they may be more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
The industry has been pushing for changes to Ukraine's laws on adult content for years, with many arguing that the current regulations are outdated and overly restrictive. The rejection of this bill is a setback for these efforts, but it does not necessarily mean that the issue will go away.
What Comes Next
The fate of the bill is now uncertain, but it is likely that adult content creators and platforms will continue to push for changes to Ukraine's laws. The industry has been vocal about its concerns regarding corruption and censorship in Ukraine, and it may take further action to bring attention to these issues.
Meanwhile, other countries are taking steps to regulate the adult content sector. For example, Poland's Council of Ministers recently endorsed a proposed national law that would require sites and platforms to age-verify users to prevent minors from accessing adult content online.
Key Facts
- The Ukrainian Parliament rejected a bill that would have decriminalized the creation and distribution of pornography in the country.
- The proposed bill, Draft Law No. 12191, aimed to amend the Criminal Code of Ukraine but was voted down by lawmakers.
- Over 25,000 signatures were gathered on a petition calling for President Volodymyr Zelensky to support the proposal.
- The current law carries a prison sentence of three to five years for creating or distributing pornography in Ukraine.
- A corruption scheme involving regional police officials allegedly accepting bribes to turn a blind eye to underground pornography production outfits was uncovered by Ukrainian authorities earlier this month.
