Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada is debating a bill to decriminalise pornography, a prohibition dating from the Soviet era. Opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who chairs parliament’s finance committee, authored the proposal. Supporters estimate taxing the industry could raise up to $25 million a year, which they link illustratively to roughly 30,000 military drones. The first reading drew 231 votes in the 450-seat chamber, above the 226 needed to advance; a similar bill earlier this year failed with 207. The measure covers decriminalisation of production, distribution and possession, not full legalisation and regulation. A second reading is approaching and will take amendments. OnlyFans estimates more than 7,900 Ukrainian creators earned over $130 million on the platform in 2023. The industry currently operates in a grey area, and authorities have begun pursuing tax from creators. Creator Svitlana Dvornikova paid nearly $900,000 in tax before her home was raided and savings seized, prompting her petition to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukrainian security services have also uncovered alleged police bribery schemes shielding studios for monthly payments of up to $25,000 each. The projected revenue is small against Kyiv’s roughly $120 billion annual defence need.