Firewood storage is not allowed: Ukrainians face large fines and even serious terms.

Changes to legislation: increased liability for illegal storage of wood

On October 10, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed a law that significantly increases liability for illegal storage of wood. This law amends the Administrative and Criminal Codes of Ukraine. Under the new law, storing firewood worth more than 30,000 hryvnias without documentation is subject to criminal liability from 5 to 7 years. Even for storing a smaller amount of wood without documentation, citizens face administrative liability.

This law can significantly impact the lives of citizens, especially in rural areas. As lawyer Oleksiy Kinebas claims, now there can be either administrative or criminal liability simply for storing, transporting, or selling wood.

Furthermore, liability for illegal logging of forests and shrubs outside of forest areas has been changed. Now offenders face a fine starting from 34,000 hryvnias or up to 5 years of imprisonment. In case of causing significant harm and under martial law conditions, the punishment can range from 7 to 10 years of imprisonment.

The law is aimed at combating illegal logging and applies to all citizens without exception

The draft law, which was initiated by a group of people's deputies, is now sent for signature to President Volodymyr Zelensky. One of the co-authors of the law, Danylo Hetmantsev, refrained from detailed comments regarding the document, noting that "changes could have been made between the first and second readings."