Pornhub, OnlyFans, webcams: how law enforcement profits from the ban on pornography in Ukraine?

What does state hypocrisy look like? On one hand, Ukraine is one of the major global porn markets. Our country consistently ranks high in views on the largest online platforms, which contribute millions of hryvnias in taxes to the state budget.

On the other hand, the creation and distribution of pornography is a criminal offense. Law enforcement opens over a thousand cases annually under the relevant article of the Criminal Code, imposing fines and imprisoning citizens. This applies not only to porn models but also to ordinary Ukrainians who "dared" to photograph parts of their bodies and send such photos to loved ones.

The responsibility for creating and distributing pornography was inherited by Ukraine from the USSR. Even though the definition of "porn" has disappeared from domestic legislation, the state apparatus continues to generate hundreds of criminal cases, using taxpayer money for this purpose. The situation has not changed even with the war, during which law enforcement seemingly should have had other priorities than pursuing OnlyFans models.

At the end of 2024, Ukraine registered for the second time in recent years a bill on the decriminalization of porn. In December, the document was supported by the relevant law enforcement committee of the Rada. However, its adoption is far from pleasing everyone. Moreover, there is currently no political will at the highest level for this.

Who benefits from the ban on adult content in Ukraine, and why are all Ukrainian OnlyFans models in danger due to a post by Daniil Hetmantsev on social media?

Who profits from porn

"This happened in 2019. At that time, cyber police conducted a raid on me under Article 301 (Criminal Code "Import, manufacture, distribution, and dissemination of pornographic materials" - EP). Before that, they had been stalking me and wiretapping my phone.

During the raid, there was a tactical group: I was pushed face down on the floor.

They immediately said: if you don't want a criminal case opened against you, pay a bribe - about 20 thousand dollars. They threatened that if I didn't agree, they would take all my property, I would have to pay money, and also go to jail.

At that time, I was just starting out, inexperienced and "green," so I agreed. I had to borrow money from friends.

After that, they went to my friend, demanding the same bribe. She also agreed, but later left the country and said she wouldn’t return.

I know many such stories. After a bribe is paid to avoid opening a case, they put the girls on "the meter": either you pay 500-1000 dollars a month, or you leave the country.", - shares Pornhub model Sofia (name changed) with EP.

Read also: Very personal experience: how I conquered the sex shop

Her story is not unique. While preparing this material, EP managed to communicate and obtain testimonies from five more models who shoot or stream pornographic content. For each of them, interactions with law enforcement followed a typical pattern: pressure, a proposal to "make a deal," case closure (or agreement with the investigation and conditional sentencing), and monthly payments for "protection."

In some cases, such interactions ended with the girls unable to withstand the pressure and emigrating to EU countries where there is no criminal liability for producing porn.

"After my case was closed, I was offered four options: return to work at any webcam studio that pays for "protection"; pay for "protection" myself; leave the country; or stop working in this industry.

I chose the second option, and they began to quote various amounts. The first month was 1200 dollars, the second was 1400, the third was 1800. After the third payment, I decided to leave the country because I realized this was not the limit," - said webcam model Yevgenia (name changed).

According to her, she paid the police 3800 dollars to close the criminal case. "The payment was made in cash, in dollars, with banknotes not older than 2003," - the girl recounts.

To coerce models into "cooperation," law enforcement officials often resort to moral and even physical pressure. They particularly use blackmail, intimidate the girls, and restrict their freedom.

One such incident was recounted by porn actress Victoria (name changed). According to her, the police conducted a raid at her apartment and demanded she unlock her phone, which contained pornographic content. As Victoria refused, she was taken to the police station, where she was held for 8 hours and threatened with "jail time."

"They brought me into some office, took out my phone and demanded that I unlock it. I refused. Then they started pushing me around, throwing me from one side to the other. The doors were open, and people were walking down the hallway. They looked on, not understanding what was happening," - she recalls.

To "resolve the situation," law enforcement asked Victoria for 10 thousand euros - that was the bribe amount they quoted through her lawyer. In the end, she refused to cooperate and emigrated abroad.

There apparently isn't a unified "tariff" for closing criminal cases (or signing agreements with the investigation leading to subsequent conditional sentencing) for participation in pornographic activities.