More than 550 pirate and pro-Russian sites blocked in Ukraine — report of the “Clear Sky” Initiative
In March 2025, following an initiative by the Ukrainian Clean Sky Initiative (CSI), the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine added 217 domains to the List of Media Services of the Aggressor State. These platforms not only streamed movies and series illegally but also manipulated public opinion by promoting narratives of the occupying country. According to the latest update, 24 more websites have been added to the List. As of today, the List contains 577 websites, including dozens of pro-Russian streaming platforms (such as Ivi, Okko, Kion, Viju, Premier, Start, more.tv, LimeHD) and hundreds of pirate sites, including all popular HD Rezka, Kinogo, Kinokrad, GidOnline, Filmix, Baskino mirrors, and more.
Prohibited by law — and period
Under Article 123 of Ukraine’s Media Law, distributing audiovisual media services of the aggressor state on Ukrainian territory is prohibited. Providers of electronic communications services are obligated to block access to websites listed as banned. The Clean Sky Initiative continues to gather evidence and submit substantiated requests to the National Council, which is responsible for approving additions to the banned media list.
This isn’t just a bureaucratic process — it’s a real blow to the pirate business. According to SimilarWeb analytics, banned websites are rapidly losing traffic. For example, rezka.ag, once ranked 9th among Ukraine’s top 50 websites in September 2023, dropped to 41st place by February 2025.
Even attempts to migrate to new domains no longer help. Users get lost, trust erodes, and Google removes these websites from search results. The top-ranking HD Rezka mirror, rezka-ua.tv, fell from 10th place to 517th in SimilarWeb rankings.
Who does not block — will receive a fine
Responsibility for enforcing the law on website blocking lies with NCEC — Ukraine’s national regulator for electronic communications, radio frequencies, and postal services. The agency verifies whether ISPs are complying and may impose fines for violations.
Between January and February 2025, NCEC conducted 12 unscheduled inspections of providers based on requests from the National Council. In 2024, there were 26 such inspections: Ukrtelecom, VF Ukraine, Ukrkom, Content Trading LLC. (Triolan.tv), Lifesell, Vline, FOP Valchevsky, Kyivstar, LLC Misto Tv, Nashnet, Inkomsat Service, LLC Company Best, LLC Maximum Net, LLC Kyiv Net, LLC Ander Net, "Volia Cable LLC, Industrial Media Networks LLC, Utim LLC, Utels LLC, Orel FOP. (Corbina Telecom), LLC Network Lanet, LLC Internet Kuzya, TVO Adamant, PrJSC Farlep Invest, LLC TRK Diskoveri, FOP Dikhtyarev, LLC Network Lviv.
The Clean Sky Initiative notes that most violations have been corrected — providers have blocked access to prohibited media services.
“We commend responsible providers who demonstrate accountability and have become allies in the fight for a safe information space,” CSI representatives commented. “At the same time, those who continue to ignore the bans must realize: we see everything, and we are already working on the next wave of blocks”.
Why it matters: It's not about money — it's about safety
CSI experts emphasize that piracy is not just content theft. It’s a hostile influence operation disguised as “free movies.” Particularly dangerous are media services from the aggressor state, which not only spread illegal content but deliberately distort reality. This influence constitutes information sabotage against Ukraine, using disinformation, glorification of the aggressor, and the erosion of national values.
That’s why this resistance is about mental hygiene for every Ukrainian and information hygiene for the nation. The team continues submitting new reports, gathering evidence, cooperating with regulators, and pressuring providers.
Vyacheslav Mienko, head of the Clean Sky Initiative, states:
“We’re no longer just reacting — we’re attacking. We know how pirates operate, where they hide, who protects them, and who they target. Anyone stealing content or spreading toxic media will face consequences. We’re going all the way — to ensure not a single pirate remains. You’re either with us for a clean information space — or you’re out. Simple as that”.
The Clean Sky Initiative was established in the summer of 2013 to promote legal audiovisual content in the Ukrainian webspace and fight against platforms that distribute content in violation of intellectual property rights. The community unites major players in Ukraine’s media market, including 1+1 Media.
