There are calls in Ukraine to decriminalise pornography between consenting adults
Bill No. 15294 was registered with the Verkhovna Rada on 3 June 2026. The full title of the document is ‘On Amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine Regarding the Tightening of Liability for the Production and Distribution of Child Pornography’.
It was drafted by a group of MPs, including Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Vladlen Neklyudov, Georgiy Mazurashu, Maksym Buzhanskyi, Danylo Getmantsev, Oleksiy Movchan, Oleksandr Bakumov, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Anastasia Radina, Lesya Vasylenko, Mykyta Poturaiev, Maria Mezentseva-Fedorenko, Roksolana Pidlasa, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Yegor Chernev and other MPs.
The bill proposes to decriminalise the production, storage, transport, transmission, import, sale and distribution of pornographic material between adults. This specifically refers to adult content created and distributed with the consent of adults.
At the same time, the draft bill does not remove liability for offences involving children, coercion, violence or the distribution of intimate material without a person’s consent.
What decision did the committee take?
On 2 July, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak announced that the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement had unanimously supported draft law No. 15294.
This committee is the lead committee responsible for considering the bill. On the Verkhovna Rada’s website, the bill is listed as being under consideration by the committee.
Earlier, on 9 June, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech also recommended that the lead committee support the bill and propose that parliament adopt it in principle.
What will remain a criminal offence
The draft bill provides that criminal liability will remain in place for offences relating to child pornography and the sexual exploitation of children.
In particular, this covers the production, storage, transport, transmission, sale or distribution of pornographic material involving children; the sale or distribution of such material to minors; the involvement of children in prostitution, pimping of minors, the establishment or maintenance of brothels involving children, and the organisation of sexual entertainment events involving minors or young children.
Separately, liability remains for coercing an adult into participating in the production of pornographic material.
What penalties are proposed
For the sale or distribution of pornographic works, images or other items to young children, as well as for their production, storage, transport or other movement for this purpose, the draft bill proposes a penalty of between three and seven years’ imprisonment.
An additional restriction on the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of up to three years may also be imposed.
For coercing an adult to participate in the creation of pornographic material, the proposal is to impose a penalty of between three and eight years’ imprisonment, with the same additional restriction.
If the offences are committed repeatedly, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, or for the purpose of obtaining substantial financial gain, the penalty may range from five to ten years’ imprisonment.
For the most serious offences, in particular those committed by an organised group or by persons who are obliged to care for or supervise a child, the penalty may be up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Why this is not the first attempt
Bill No. 15294 represents a new attempt to amend criminal legislation regarding pornographic material, following the Verkhovna Rada’s rejection of the previous Bill No. 12191 on 28 May 2026.
The previous bill also concerned the decriminalisation of adult content, but failed to secure a sufficient number of votes in the chamber. The new bill has been tabled with a focus on increasing penalties for offences against children whilst simultaneously removing consensual adult content from the scope of criminal liability.
What happens next
Following its endorsement by the committee, Bill No. 15294 is due to be considered by the Verkhovna Rada. To come into force, the bill must be passed by parliament and signed by the president.
As things stand, the bill has not yet been passed, so the current provisions of the Criminal Code remain in force.
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