The Ukrainian capital and three leading cities became the epicenter of large-scale civic unrest after a controversial legislative decision that threatens to undermine the anti-corruption mechanism in the country. Hundreds of citizens, mostly young people, took to the streets of Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and Dnipro to express their categorical disagreement with the newly adopted normative act.
The head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) Semen Kryvonos openly warned about the serious risks of the legislative change. "Two key anti-corruption institutions are effectively being placed under direct administrative control," he told local media, insisting that the president reconsider his decision.
Protesters chanted "Shame, shame" in front of the presidential administration, demonstrating deep social tension. The parliament approved the controversial bill with 263 votes, which provoked a sharp international reaction. Representatives of the European Commission expressed serious concern, emphasizing the critical importance of independent anti-corruption structures.
The new legislative act provides the Prosecutor General's Office with unprecedented powers - the ability to terminate investigations against high-ranking government officials and redistribute ongoing proceedings. This move is perceived as a direct threat to the existing anti-corruption system built after the revolutionary events of 2014.
Activist Igor Lachenkov, who owns influential social platforms with over 1.5 million followers, called for civic pressure. "Corruption undermines national security, especially during wartime. Every stolen resource reduces our chances of victory," he was categorical.
International observers from Transparency International note that Ukraine continues to be among the most corrupt European countries, despite ongoing reforms. The Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, emphasized that the rule of law is a fundamental criterion for European integration.
The protests demonstrate the long-standing tradition of civic pressure in Ukraine, where previous mass movements have led to significant political changes. The current situation puts President Zelensky before a serious challenge - how to balance between domestic political interests and international expectations.
It is also indicative that on Monday, the state service SSU took actions against NABU employees with accusations of suspicious cooperation, which further escalated tensions around anti-corruption institutions.