Million fines and prison: what the new law on firewood harvesting will really change.

The adopted law on tree felling provoked a wave of indignation

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recently adopted a law that strictly punishes illegal tree felling and timber transactions. This law is called the "firewood law" because it concerns ordinary citizens who stockpile firewood for the winter. In particular, the law provides for large fines and even imprisonment for storing, transporting, or selling timber without proper documentation.

The authors of the law assure that it is aimed against "black loggers" and illegal sawmills.

Critics express concern about the risks for ordinary villagers and summer residents who heat their homes with firewood. They fear they will have to prove the origin of their firewood.

Deputies claim that households using firewood for their own needs will not fall under the law. However, lawyers note that in practice, law enforcement agencies may interpret the law's norms more broadly, creating risks for ordinary citizens.

The law, awaiting the president's signature, is already being discussed on social networks, causing criticism and fear among the rural population.