For a second day, street protests were held in Kiev and many other cities, targeting Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and his decision to defang the independent anti-corruption agencies and subordinate them to his own Prosecutor General – at a moment where people close to him had become targets for graft investigations.
❗️ – Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak shared a video of ongoing protests in Kyiv against efforts to reduce the authority of anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAP.
According to RBK-Ukraine, the footage shows the square in front of the Ivan Franko Theater in Kyiv.
Previously,… pic.twitter.com/GHzqAT8yj5
— The Informant (@theinformant_x) July 23, 2025
The Financial Times reported that ‘The rush [to approve and sing into law the controversial Bill No. 12414] appears to have been sparked by investigations into members of Zelenskyy’s circle’.
Ukrainian protestors chant:
– We are not idiots
– Yermak should F off
– Zelensky is the devil pic.twitter.com/dUhcr72Sif— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) July 23, 2025
‘Re-vote, re-vote’ — young Ukrainians take to the streets protesting the crackdown against anti-corruption agencies
Is Ukraine getting a new Maidan? pic.twitter.com/jEKV9UwQAq
— RT (@RT_com) July 23, 2025
With all the world’s attention focused on the unprecedented protests, Zelensky can’t have his thugs open fire in the crowd to disperse them, so he appears to be either caving to the pressure, or else trying to appear to do so to deflate the movement.
He is now promising a new anti-corruption bill, while still insisting that the state agencies ‘need to be purged of Russian influence’.
Lord Bebo reported:
“I spoke with NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, SAPO Prosecutor Oleksandr Klymenko, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, and Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk. We discussed various challenges.
The anti-corruption infrastructure will work. Only without Russian influence, it needs to be cleared of that. And there should be more justice”
Russian channels note that the NABU and SAPO agencies were set up by Victoria Nuland and other US officials, so in a way this move from Zelensky would aim to curb American influence.
Now Zelensky’s promising a NEW anti-corruption bill
But he still insists state agencies need to be purged of ‘Russian influence’
Think the protesters in the streets will buy it? https://t.co/tBl5yDjw0Y pic.twitter.com/1zypi3BTVz
— RT (@RT_com) July 23, 2025
Zelensky will submit a presidential bill to the Rada that ‘will preserve the independence of anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine’.
“Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying now — on social networks, to each other, on the streets. This is not in vain. We have analyzed all concerns, all aspects of what needs to be changed and what should be activated. I will propose to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine a bill that will be a response, which will ensure the strength of the law enforcement system. There will be no Russian influence or interference in the activities of law enforcement agencies, and — this is very important — all norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be preserved.”
It’s not just Kiev
Large crowds protesting in Lvov, in Ukraine’s far west
Truckers honking, anger in the air https://t.co/b4oZSZg1bp pic.twitter.com/74NH95VCVm
— RT (@RT_com) July 23, 2025
‘Whoever doesn’t jump is a Muscovite!’
Protesters in Ivano-Frankivsk revive anti-Russian Maidan chant from 2013-2014
Look where that got them the first time pic.twitter.com/UHAtB4PoKs
— RT (@RT_com) July 23, 2025
In the meantime, various Kiev allies have criticized Zelensky’s decision.
Sputnik reported:
“German Chancellor Merz and French President Macron plan to hold ‘intensive talks’ with Zelensky regarding Ukraine’s recent moves to weaken anti-corruption institutions, according to German media.
The concern? Ukrainian authorities’ controversial decision to subordinate formally independent anti-corruption bodies to the Prosecutor General’s Office.”
On the other side of the Atlantic, even major warmonger Senator Lindsay Graham torched Zelensky for cutting the powers of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies.
He warned it ‘undermines progress’ and ‘risks future US support’.
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