On July 22, 2025, Ukraine witnessed its most intense anti-government protests since Russia’s full-scale invasion began over three years ago. Crowds filled Kyiv’s streets, with parallel demonstrations in Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa, voicing outrage over a newly passed law that hands oversight of Ukraine’s top anti-corruption agencies, NABU and SAPO, to the prosecutor general, a politically appointed figure. The public and activists say the move jeopardizes Ukraine’s progress toward transparency and undermines its EU aspirations.
Zelensky Defends Law Amid Allegations of Power Grab and Nationwide Public Outcry
President Volodymyr Zelensky fast-tracked the bill and signed it into law on the same day, defending the decision as a necessary step to remove alleged Russian influence within the agencies. His claims followed the arrest of two anti-corruption officials accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence.
In his evening address, Zelensky maintained that NABU and SAPO would continue to operate, but critics viewed the law as a political power grab that could stifle independent investigations and halt justice for high-level corruption.
Opposition came from across Ukrainian society. Former foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba called it a “bad day for Ukraine,” while soldiers on the front lines expressed frustration that their sacrifices were being overshadowed by political corruption.
Yegor Firsov, a drone platoon chief sergeant, said the move was a betrayal of those fighting and dying for the country’s future. Protesters in Kyiv held signs condemning the government’s actions, accusing it of dismantling hard-won democratic progress.
Zelensky Faces Backlash as Reform Reversal Alarms Protesters and Western Allies Alike
In response to widespread criticism, Zelensky addressed the nation again the next day, promising to introduce a revised bill aimed at reinforcing the independence of anti-corruption institutions while strengthening law enforcement overall. Despite this, demonstrations continued into the night, with slogans accusing the government of erasing the legacy of the Revolution of Dignity and the sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians alike.
The law drew rebukes from Ukraine’s key Western partners. Transparency International’s Ukrainian branch warned that the legislation dismantled the very institutions created after the 2014 revolution to fight corruption.
EU enlargement official Marta Kos said the rollback of NABU’s independence jeopardizes Ukraine’s path to EU membership. The American Chamber of Commerce and other organizations echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that international trust in Ukraine’s reform agenda was at risk.
The legislation marks a dramatic shift in Zelensky’s political narrative. Elected in 2019 on promises to root out corruption, he had previously gained global recognition for reforms and accountability, especially during wartime.
But critics now argue that this latest move contradicts his core campaign pledge. Domestic and foreign observers fear that instead of fighting corruption, Zelensky’s administration may be centralizing control—possibly threatening the democratic gains made over the last decade.