In wartime, demonstrations in Ukraine can never be more than a peaceful protest

<p>Zelenskyy forced to U-turn on anti-corruption bodies but protesters know unrest only plays into Russia’s hands</p><p>Once a decade, Ukraine has a moment in which street protests redefine the country’s political direction. The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/nov/25/ukraine.andreikurkov">Orange revolution</a> of 2004; the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/18/the-man-who-sparked-the-maidan-revolution-and-is-now-tasked-with-rebuilding-ukraine">Maidan revolution of 2014</a>; and now, over the past 10 days, the first major wave of protest since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.</p><p>A series of unexpectedly boisterous and well-attended demonstrations forced Volodymyr Zelenskyy to execute a swift U-turn on his decision to scrap the independence of two anti-corruption bodies. On Thursday, MPs reversed the contentious changes they had adopted a week previously. Outside the parliament building, crowds whooped and cheered as the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/31/russian-strikes-kyiv-ukraine-anti-corruption-vote">result of the vote was announced</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/02/demonstrations-in-ukraine-can-never-be-more-than-a-peaceful-protest-russia">Continue reading...</a>