Ukrainian Troops Feel Betrayed After Anti-Corruption Law Backlash

From the frontlines near Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian soldiers voiced deep frustration over a new law signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky that, they say, undermines the country’s anti-corruption institutions.

Despite being far from Kyiv, many frontline fighters were quick to condemn the move, calling it a “fatal mistake” that mirrors the authoritarian practices they’ve long opposed.

Zelensky’s Law Sparks Nationwide Protests

Zelensky signed the controversial legislation on July 22, transferring control of Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) to the Prosecutor General, an appointee of the president.

The decision was met with swift protests in major cities and concerns from civil society and opposition figures who fear it will cripple independent investigations into political elites.

Soldiers See Echoes of a Darker Past

Veterans of the 2013–2014 Euromaidan Revolution say the move is painfully familiar. “The Architect,” a 32-year-old drone operator, recalls organizing student protests in Lviv against pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych.

Now he sees Zelensky’s government as repeating history: “The war distracted us, but their true face never changed.”

Critics Warn of EU Aspirations in Jeopardy

Analysts and watchdogs argue the law could derail Ukraine’s hopes of joining the European Union.

Without independent anti-corruption institutions, critics claim, Ukraine fails to meet one of the EU’s core accession conditions an effective and impartial justice system.

Zelensky Cites Russian Influence to Justify the Law

In response to the backlash, Zelensky defended the decision as a necessary move to purge potential Russian infiltration.

However, critics argue that the risk of espionage doesn’t justify dismantling institutional safeguards built since 2014. “You don’t burn the house down to kill a spy in the attic,” one civil activist remarked online.

“This Is Ukraine, Not Russia,” Say Disillusioned Fighters

For soldiers like “The Architect,” Zelensky’s actions reflect a dangerous drift toward centralized power. “They’re trying to build their own little Russia,” he said, adding, “But this is Ukraine. That won’t succeed.” Many fighters say they didn’t risk their lives for this kind of governance.

Grim Toll on the Battlefield Fuels Moral Outrage

Estimates suggest that 60,000 to 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the full-scale invasion began, sacrifices made in the name of a democratic Ukraine.

“Ukrainians die every day for a country where there must be justice and the rule of law,” said an infantryman who fought in the Euromaidan protests.

Frontline Leaders Slam the Move as Political Opportunism

Petro Kuzyk, a National Guard battalion commander, called the decision “a fatal mistake,” accusing officials of undermining democracy for political gain.

He warned the law could be used to repress dissent and conceal corruption, especially in the wake of recent government-linked scandals.

EU Officials Express Alarm Over Democratic Backslide

The European Union was quick to react. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, demanded explanations from Zelensky.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called the vote a “serious setback” in Ukraine’s fight against corruption. Germany echoed the concern, warning that limiting agency independence could block Ukraine’s path to EU membership.

Soldiers Say the Fight Is Bigger Than Politics

Despite political unrest, Ukrainian soldiers say their commitment to the war effort remains. “We’re not fighting for NABU or any agency,” said a drone operator codenamed “Crimea.” “We’re fighting for our land.” Yet for many, the dismantling of anti-corruption institutions feels like a betrayal of the very ideals they’re dying to defend