In Desperation, Scores of Ukrainian Women Turn to ‘Only Fans’ To Make Ends Meet

“Desperate times call for desperate measures.” – Attributed to Hippocrates

Dire Economic Circumstances

Amid the backdrop of the ongoing war with Russia, numerous Ukrainians are venturing into the world of explicit content creation on OnlyFans, a decision driven by dire economic circumstances. Russia’s invasion has catapulted Ukraine’s unemployment rate to an unprecedented 34%, coupled with an inflation surge of 26%. This financial turmoil has left many citizens in a scramble for basic necessities.

In Ukraine, producing “adult films” can lead to imprisonment for up to five years. Nonetheless, there’s been a noticeable spike in registrations on the adult-oriented subscription platform OnlyFans nationwide.

The platform has emerged as a vital source of income for individuals like Darina Lebedeva, a young adult who turned to content creation after losing her retail job.

“The conflict caught us off guard,” Lebedeva said in an interview with the Daily Beast. After her $3,000 savings depleted, she hesitantly chose OnlyFans, a path she never thought she’d have to take. “It felt like an act of self-compromise, akin to being in a brothel,” she reflected.

Despite the legal risks associated with producing explicit content in Ukraine, the number of OnlyFans creators is rising. Lebedeva initially found it challenging to attract subscribers and faced judgment for her choice of work.

“Securing subscribers was a struggle. I had no guidance, and the demands from clients were at times unacceptable, emotionally draining me,” she revealed.

However, as global attention on the Ukrainian conflict intensified, so did the curiosity for adult content from Ukraine.

A Surge in Demand

Reportedly, searches for “Ukrainian adult content” surged by 600% in Spain and 130% in Poland.

Lebedeva partnered with a management firm last November to expand her audience and now earns $4,500 monthly—a significant amount in Ukraine, where the median income is about $400.

Lebedeva, who takes numerous photos and creates several videos weekly for her subscribers, isn’t overly concerned about legal repercussions for her activities.

“Though it’s technically illegal, I’ve yet to hear about anyone being penalized for such work,” she stated.

There’s speculation that some Ukrainian authorities might tacitly support this form of content creation, considering its positive impact on the economy. OnlyFans contributions have reportedly brought in approximately $620,000 in taxes for Ukraine, a figure expected to increase as more citizens engage in this line of work.

Queer content creators in Kyiv and other regions have also embraced OnlyFans.

“In these times, it’s challenging to secure well-paying jobs,” one creator mentioned. “I had the advantage of good looks, so I thought, ‘Why not take this route?'”

“If I possess something that others find appealing, why shouldn’t I monetize my photos and videos?” another pondered, undeterred by the legal risks.

“I’m indifferent to the legalities because life here is unpredictable. We live in the moment, uncertain of tomorrow.”