Kyiv erupts: Massive protests rock Zelensky amid explosive anti-corruption scandal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked backlash after signing a new anti-corruption law that critics warn could weaken the country’s key watchdog agencies, NABU and SAPO, by stripping them of their independence.

Zelensky said the law is important to remove Russian influence from Ukraine’s anti-corruption system. The two agencies offices were raided by Ukraine's security services after some claims came up about Russian infiltration, as per The US Sun report.

Zelensky said that putting all corruption cases under Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko will help speed up big criminal cases. He believes many cases stay stuck for years, and this new setup will make the justice system faster and stronger, as per the reports.


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Zelensky held a meeting with all law enforcement and anti-corruption agency heads, including Kravchenko, and posted about it on X. He told Ukrainians, “We all have one enemy: the Russian occupiers,” and added that justice must be strong and quick. But many Ukrainians are angry — they believe this gives Zelensky too much control over independent agencies, as stated by The US Sun report.

Protests break out across Ukraine

After the bill passed, thousands of people protested in Kyiv, making it the biggest protest since Russia invaded in 2022. Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a war veteran, started the rally and told people to meet near the Ivan Franko Theatre, as per the reports.

He posted on social media: “We must take to the streets tonight… see you this evening!” Other cities like Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa also saw protests on the same night. The protests were peaceful, but police presence was high everywhere, according to The US Sun report.

Protesters held handmade signs, including ones that said, “We chose Europe, not autocracy.” “My father did not die for this”, further added. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, also a former world boxing champion, joined the protest and said, “SAPO and NABU must remain independent.”

What the new law actually does

The new law makes the Prosecutor General the boss of NABU and SAPO. It lets him transfer cases or assign new prosecutors, even if the agencies are working on the case. Zelensky says this will help speed up justice and get rid of Russian spies, as mentioned in the report by The US Sun.

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But the head of NABU warns the law could destroy Ukraine’s entire anti-corruption setup. G7 ambassadors are worried about the bill. The European Union also warned Ukraine not to make any quick decisions that could hurt its justice system.

The bill was voted in by Parliament on July 22, with 263 lawmakers in favor, 13 against, and 13 not voting. It was quickly signed into law by Zelensky afterward. NABU and SAPO leaders have already asked Zelensky to cancel the new law, according to The US Sun report.

FAQs

Q1. Why are people protesting against Zelensky’s new anti-corruption law?
People say the law gives Zelensky too much control and weakens Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAPO.

Q2. What does Zelensky’s anti-corruption law change in Ukraine?
The law puts all major corruption cases under the control of the prosecutor general, reducing NABU and SAPO’s independence.