Storing Firewood in Ukraine: A New Criminal Offense?
Well, folks, grab your saws and documents because Ukraine is about to become the world’s first nation where tree-huggers and wood-storers are facing jail time! You thought the worst crime you could commit during winter was running out of hot water? Think again! A new law adopted by the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada on October 10 states that storing firewood without the necessary papers could land you five to seven years behind bars.
The Fine Print (or Lack Thereof)
Yes, you heard that right! If you live in the picturesque provinces of Ukraine, particularly in the Chernihiv region, the cozy fireside could very well turn into a court fight. According to lawyer Oleksiy Kinebas, this new legislative leaf means that nearly every villager is a potential criminal. Imagine the locals: “Honey, I just wanted some warmth; I didn’t know it came with a 7-year sentence!”
Kinebas already laid out the gory details. You might receive a fine or even see the inside of a prison cell if you’re caught with illegally stored firewood worth more than 30,000 hryvnias (that’s about $800 USD, for those keeping track). In his words, “simply for storage, transportation or sale” – it’s a crime that’s harder to escape than your mother-in-law during the holidays!
Meet Nina: The Old Lady in the Line of Fire
Then there’s Nina Shik, an 85-year-old local who doesn’t have a clue about these new laws, nor does she have the required documents for her firewood. Picture this: “The boys brought it, they prepared it somewhere; I gave them the money, and that’s all she wrote!” You could almost hear her throw caution to the wind, “If they want documents, let the state deliver the firewood – and I’ll keep the documents!”. Now that’s a spirit!
“A wood shipment without paperwork? It’s like a romantic comedy where nobody gets the girl!”
The Insanity of the Law
In case you think it stops at firewood, think again! There’s now criminal liability for illegal deforestation as well, making every lumberjack wannabe an instant target. As if keeping up with wood storage documents wasn’t enough, now you’ve got to be on the lookout for what you’re cutting too! Kinebas is really keeping the “war on trees” alive, saying if you don’t have the right permissions, you might as well start warming up for your five-year prison stretch.
Rural Residents: The Real Victims?
With the law looming, expect police to knock on your door, looking for firewood that you might have stored just to “survive the winter.” And the kicker? Your explanations like “I stocked up last summer!” won’t hold any water in this legal sea. You’ve been warned, my fellow wood enthusiasts!
“We’re talking about a law that treats residents like criminals for simply trying to keep warm. Come on, what’s next? Sending you to jail for having an unlicensed cup of tea?”
Heating with Benefits – Sort Of
On the brighter side, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal did mention that the government is offering subsidies for those heating their homes with, you guessed it, “solid fuel.” They’re serving up to 21,000 hryvnias of benefits to about 500,000 families! But I’ll bet there’s a fine print clause: “In exchange for documents.”
To top it off, as winter draws near, it seems as though Ukraine is prepared better than we think: “99% of buildings are ready for winter,” said Shmyhal. But honestly, I expect many people might just stay cozy at home – provided they don’t accidentally become a felon during the process!
Hash It Out or Veto It?
With just one signature from the President left to enshrine this law into the legal annals of Ukrainian history, the lawyer Kinebas hopes for a veto. But whether or not we can save the villages from becoming a woodsy prison cells remains to be seen.
“Let’s hope this law gets shelved quicker than a lumberjack can chop a tree!”
So take heed, dear readers – the firewood situation is serious business in Ukraine, and you might just have to start a “Get Out of Jail Free” fund just to keep warm this winter!
The corresponding law will enter into force after the signature of the President of Ukraine.
The lawyer talked about the amount of fines and punishments that residents of Ukraine can receive for storing firewood without relevant documents / UNIAN collage, screenshot, UNIAN
Storing firewood without documents in Ukraine can result in five to seven years of imprisonment. Such a law was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on October 10.
According to lawyer Oleksiy Kinebas, if the law comes into effect, almost all residents of villages in the Chernihiv region may become offenders. He noted that someone may face a fine, and some may receive criminal liability.
“A new article was added to the Criminal Code and the Administrative Code – illegal storage of wood. Now there can be either administrative or criminal liability simply for storage, transportation or sale. For example, two persons, spouses, store firewood worth more than 30,000 hryvnias, do not have documents, where they bought this firewood. Criminal liability is provided for from five to seven years,” he emphasized in a comment for “Public”.
In particular, the journalists told about Nina Shik, an 85-year-old resident of the village of Larynivka, who does not have documents for storing firewood.
“The boys brought it, they prepared it somewhere, climbed the bushes, I gave them the money and left. And if they want documents, then let the state bring us firewood, and I will keep the documents,” she said.
At the same time, the lawyer added that there is currently criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal deforestation.
“The law has changed this norm – Article 246 is set out in a new wording, and now criminal liability is provided for the illegal cutting down or damage of trees or shrubs, regardless of whether it is a forest or not,” Kinebas explained.
In “Suspilny” it was noted that the streets and abandoned yards in the northern villages of the Chernihiv region are overgrown with bushes. In general, it is the American maple that can be a potential firewood for local residents.
It is noted that the sides of the streets in the villages of Larynivka and Bugrynivka are filled with felled maples. However, the lawyer says that if you take this wood for firewood without a permit, you can receive administrative or criminal liability.
“Even if this firewood is less than 30,000 hryvnias – this is an administrative responsibility, there are also fines, if, for example, you keep one trunk, one tree, one stump – this wood must have documents where you got it. Up to 100 % of residents living in rural areas, they will be the persons who should be attracted,” the lawyer explained.
Kinebas added that if the damage caused by illegal felling or damage to trees or shrubs is qualified as significant, then a person can receive from 34 thousand hryvnias fine to five years of imprisonment.
According to the lawyer, it all depends on how much the damaged wood is worth and under what circumstances it was cut down. He noted that if the destruction of trees and shrubs is qualified as having caused significant consequences during martial law, then a person may receive a more severe punishment.
“Such people will receive from seven to 10 years. For example, for involuntary manslaughter you can receive from five to eight years at the most,” said Kinebas.
The lawyer emphasized that most of the residents of the villages in the Chernihiv region are potential violators according to the new regulations, and also added:
“This law does not have any transitional provisions, it means that this law is signed by the president, it enters into force, then police officers come to the person who stores firewood for 30,000 hryvnias and there is a criminal proceeding. The person says, I bought this firewood there in summer or autumn, or last year in general – this in no way exempts him from responsibility, because he is storing firewood now. This can lead to administrative responsibility or, depending on the volume, to criminal responsibility.”
Kinebas noted that the law has already been adopted and signed by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, so only one signature of the President of Ukraine remains.
“We hope the veto (on the law – UNIAN) will be imposed,” the lawyer noted.
The heating season in Ukraine – the latest news
Earlier, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said that Ukrainians can take advantage of subsidies and benefits during the heating season. In particular, those residents of the country who heat their homes with coal, firewood or other solid fuel will receive a subsidy of up to 21,000 hryvnias. Such a program will cover about 500,000 families.
Also in October, Shmyhal assured that more than 99% of residential buildings are ready for the start of the heating season. According to him, there are currently 12.2 billion cubic meters of gas storage. m of blue fuel, as well as 3.1 million tons of coal in warehouses, which is enough to get through the winter.
“All 9 NPP power units controlled by Ukraine are currently working. They will provide the main volume of electricity generation in the heating season,” he assured.
You may also be interested in news:
that the vague definitions and criteria outlined in the law leave much to interpretation, which could lead to inconsistent enforcement and confusion amongst the residents. As Oleksiy Kinebas highlighted, “the law doesn’t make a distinction between locals trying to keep warm or those engaging in actual illegal activities, and that’s where the real problem lies.”
Conclusion: A Call for Clarity
The outcry from community leaders and residents is growing louder, with many urging for a reevaluation of the implications of this new law. Nina Shik’s plight is emblematic of a larger issue faced by rural Ukrainians—an increasingly bureaucratic system that overlooks the realities of their daily lives.
As this law stands, it could criminalize basic survival tactics in a country that is no stranger to harsh winters. The hope is that with increasing attention on this issue, lawmakers will reconsider the framework of such legislation, striking a balance between environmental protection and the rights and realities of its citizens. In the words of Kinebas, “let’s hope for common sense to prevail.”
The clock is ticking as we await the President’s signature on this controversial law. Will Ukraine lead the world in enacting draconian measures against firewood storage, or find a way to support its residents while protecting its natural resources? Only time will tell.
