On November 5, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Bill No.14005, which expands the powers of state enforcement officers in debt collection matters. Under the new rules, citizens listed in the Register of Debtors may be deprived of the right to dispose of their property, including their only home. The law was supported by 236 deputies, with only the Batkivshchyna faction voting against it.
At first glance, the initiative is aimed at improving financial discipline. However, at a time when most of the population is experiencing economic pressure due to the war, inflation, and high utility rates, such a measure raises legitimate concerns. According to State Statistics Service data, as of October 2025, the population's utility debt exceeded 36 billion hryvnia (almost $860 million for 32 million residents - my note). In some regions, especially those near the front lines, the level of non-payment exceeds 60%.
According to the law, the enforcement officer has the right to independently determine the method of collection and assess property, which may lead to risks of abuse. Additional concern is caused by the fact that the mechanism for protecting the rights of debtors in the Ukrainian judicial system remains weak: proceedings are often protracted, and appealing decisions requires time and resources that most people do not have.
Given the martial law, ongoing mobilization, and economic instability, the new law may affect precisely those segments of the population that are most vulnerable. These are pensioners, large families, internally displaced persons, veterans, and mobilized citizens whose families are now surviving on minimal incomes. At the same time, there is virtually no discussion in the media about mechanisms to protect these groups: subsidies, debt restructuring, or social support programs.
Law No. 14005 could increase social tension, especially if its implementation is accompanied by high-profile cases of seizures. Given the low level of trust in the judicial system and the executive branch, public perception of the law could quickly shift from an “anti-crisis measure” to a “threat to property.”
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war with war against one's own people
