Mass Protests Erupt in Ukraine Over Zelensky’s Anti-Corruption Law Amid EU and Civil Society Concerns

As thousands of citizens took to the streets

 Kyiv, Ukraine – July 23, 2025 — Ukraine is witnessing its largest wave of anti-government demonstrations since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, as thousands of citizens took to the streets across the country to protest a controversial law signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, July 22.

The new legislation amends the Ukrainian criminal code and gives significantly expanded powers to the Prosecutor General, a move widely criticized as a threat to the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption institutions: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

Protests Sweep Major Ukrainian Cities

Demonstrations broke out immediately after the law was signed and intensified on Wednesday, July 23, with mass gatherings reported in:

1. Kyiv (the capital)
2. Lviv
3. Dnipro
4. Odesa

Smaller rallies were also held in numerous other cities across the country. Protesters carried signs with slogans such as “Veto the Law!”, “Shame!”, and “Defend Democratic Institutions!”. One striking image showed the phrase “Veto the Law” projected onto the façade of the Ivan Franko National Theater in central Kyiv.

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Criticism From Civil Society and Western Allies

The legislation, which originated from members of Zelensky’s "Servant of the People" party, allows the Prosecutor General—currently Ruslan Kravchenko, a close Zelensky ally—to reassign, influence, or close ongoing anti-corruption investigations, raising serious concerns among:

1. Ukrainian civil society and veterans
2. Anti-corruption watchdogs
3. Western allies and EU representatives

Opponents argue the move undermines Ukraine’s commitment to transparency, erodes institutional checks and balances, and jeopardizes the country’s EU accession prospects.

“We chose Europe, not autocracy,” read one protester’s sign. Another displayed the words: “My father didn’t die for this.”

Some demonstrators called the law’s passage a "moral blow worse than Russian missiles."

Zelensky Defends the Law as Necessary Reform

President Zelensky defended the reform, stating it is aimed at "cleansing the anti-corruption infrastructure of Russian influence" and unblocking stalled investigations involving billions of dollars in alleged corruption. He emphasized that the intention is to accelerate the fight against high-level graft, not weaken it.

“Some cases have been sitting idle for years. We need real results,” Zelensky said in a televised address.

However, critics contend that the law centralizes prosecutorial power and compromises the legal independence required for Ukraine to meet EU democratic standards.

Protests Amid Martial Law

Despite the country being under martial law due to the ongoing war with Russia, citizens have shown a remarkable level of civic engagement, demanding that anti-corruption gains not be reversed in the name of expediency.

“Even during war, we cannot allow backsliding. Corruption is no less dangerous than invasion,” one protester told local media.

The protests mark a crucial moment for Ukraine’s democratic future, highlighting growing tensions between wartime executive powers and public accountability.