Legalizing Adult Content for the War? "Thank Me," Says Ukrainian Model

Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia for over four years, has turned its attention to the online adult entertainment industry to secure tax revenue.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 5th (local time) that the Ukrainian parliament is deliberating a bill to ease criminal penalties for the production of adult content.

Unlike other European countries, Ukraine strictly bans the production, distribution, and possession of adult content, which can carry prison sentences of up to seven years upon indictment.

However, a large-scale adult entertainment industry has actually formed, with some businesses thriving under the protection of corrupt police.

Recently, controversy arose as the Ukrainian tax authorities demanded tax payments from adult content creators.

This is because declaring income earned from adult content production effectively means notifying authorities of one's involvement in illegal activities.

Yaroslav Zheleznyak, head of the Ukrainian parliament's finance committee, said, "If you don't pay taxes, you are punished for tax evasion, and if you pay taxes, you are punished for violating adult content laws. It's a tragicomic situation."

Previously, tax authorities secured data related to the earnings of Ukrainian models from Fenix International, the British parent company of the adult online platform OnlyFans.

In 2023 alone, it was reported that 7,900 Ukrainian citizens earned more than 131 million dollars (approx. 180 billion KRW) on OnlyFans.

Following the tax notices from authorities, some Ukrainian adult models are moving their operations overseas.

Methods include emigrating abroad entirely or crossing the border every few weeks to broadcast online from neighboring countries.

WSJ pointed out that taxes on income generated from these activities are paid to other countries instead of Ukraine.

Consequently, the Ukrainian parliament pushed for a bill to legalize adult content.

According to Zheleznyak's estimates, legalization could secure up to 25 million dollars (approx. 33.7 billion KRW) in annual tax revenue.

While this is a modest amount compared to the astronomical costs of the war, it is enough to purchase 30,000 drones.

The bill co-sponsored by Zheleznyak passed the first parliamentary vote in July and is currently awaiting second reading.

Recently, in response to a public petition calling for the legalization of adult content, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the parliament would review the matter.

Svitlana Dvornikova, an adult model who led the public petition, is a popular model with 1 million subscribers on OnlyFans.

In her petition, Dvornikova stated, "Instead of labeling me a criminal, the government should thank me for the 900,000 dollars (approx. 1.2 billion KRW) in taxes I paid," adding, "That money can buy 100 military trucks or 2,000 drones."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.