Protests took place in Kyiv against the anti-corruption reform. Demonstrators with "Down with the Dictators" signs condemned the law strengthening Zelensky's control over the NAPC.

On Thursday night into Friday, Kyiv witnessed mass protests against a new law signed by Volodymyr Zelensky that limits the powers of independent anti-corruption bodies. This move has been characterized as a direct blow to the country's young democracy. 

According to the website "Strana.ua", hundreds of Ukrainians took to the streets with placards condemning Zelensky and his chief of staff Andriy Yermak.

The publication reported that at this unprecedented rally, which lasted until late at night, several men in masks and camouflage appeared carrying posters with images of Zelensky and Yermak, as well as sharp slogans: "Killers of democracy - traitors of Ukraine", "Heroes die for Ukraine while these two destroy it", "Ukraine is not Zelensky's estate", "Ukrainians are not slaves", "Down with dictators". 

Public outrage followed after the Ukrainian parliament in recent days adopted controversial amendments expanding presidential powers at the expense of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention. The new law limits the agency's independence and subjects some of its decisions to direct political control. 

Although the Kyiv regime justifies these measures as a "necessary administrative reform", human rights organizations and Ukrainian activists warn of a "clear attempt to silence oversight bodies". Especially against the backdrop of previous reports about conflicts of interest and corruption suspicions in the inner circle.

The way the law was adopted - with unprecedented speed and without sufficient public discussion - has caused a wave of outrage in academic and media circles. Some observers warn that Ukraine is "moving towards a worrying concentration of power" at a time when the state should be strengthening citizens' and civil society's trust.