Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill that restricts the work of anti-corruption agencies. In response, Ukrainians took to the streets in Kiev, chanting “corruption equals death.”

The new law gives Kiev significant control over Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the affiliated Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). A statement from the agencies said, “In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general’s office.”

Initially, Zelensky defended the law, claiming Ukrainians needed to remain focused on the Russian enemy. “I gathered all heads of Ukraine’s law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, along with the Prosecutor General. It was a much-needed meeting – a frank and constructive conversation that truly helps,” Zelensky wrote on X. “We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers. And defending the Ukrainian state requires a strong enough law enforcement and anti-corruption system – one that ensures a real sense of justice.”

In the streets, Ukrainians chanted “Destroy Russians, not democracy,” indicating that the protesters do not have a pro-Russia objective. Zelensky later posted on X that he would introduce a new bill to ensure the NABU and SAPO can continue to operate.

“I will propose a bill to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine that will be the response.” He continued, “It will ensure the strength of the rule of law system, and there will be no Russian influence or interference in the activities of law enforcement. And very importantly – all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place.”

The anti-corruption street action is the first major protest against Zelensky since Russia invaded the country in 2022.