The Ukrainian Police Agency at the Center of Protests Against Zelensky

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Updated July 26, 2025 12:01 am ET | Jane Lytvynenko and James Marson

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The National Anticorruption Bureau of Ukraine has long been a battleground in Ukrainian politics, where graft is rife

KYIV, Ukraine—Youthful protesters at the biggest demonstration here since Russia’s 2022 invasion were championing a cause that, at first glance, seemed unusual in a country known for its revolutions: the power of a law-enforcement agency.

In a country that has spent more than three decades of its independence fighting the dual scourges of Russian aggression and crippling corruption, the establishment of the agency under U.S. pressure in 2015 was seen as a watershed that could boost Ukraine’s economy and accelerate its integration with the West.

So when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law on Tuesday gutting its independence by bringing it under the control of a prosecutor appointed by him, the reaction was furious.

Two days after thousands protested countrywide, he said he was reversing course and published legislation drafted by his office that he said would guarantee the independence of anticorruption bodies. Parliament will consider it next week.

The storm is the latest to surround an agency that has become a battleground between young reformers, cheered on by the West, who want a competitive political and economic environment in their country, and a corrupt old guard bent on preserving their illicit enrichment schemes.

Supporters of NABU say the institution is imperfect but critical in a country where corruption is endemic. Instead of answering to the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president, NABU brings cases to a Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office. Its independence from other law-enforcement bodies is what allows it to take big swings.

But that has frequently brought it into conflict with the government of the day, which is used to acting with impunity.

“When investigations began—for the first time in Ukraine’s history—that dealt with sitting high-ranking officials, it was obvious...

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TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: beggarofkiev; greengrifter; jamesmarson; janelytvynenko; littledictator; nabu; putinthewarpig; russiansuicide; russiantrollfarm; vladtheimploder; whatzelyadoink; zelya; zestinky

[BobL]

For the record, NOTHING is ‘independent’ in Ukraine, including NABU, which is controlled by the Democrats and the EU.

[kiryandil]

What Zelya doink?

[adorno]

A country at war won’t see any real law-enforcement, and if there is, it will itself be run by corrupt people, including those supporting Putin/Russia.

[Flaming Conservative]

Everyone knows he and his government are crooked. He’s not about to give that up.

[DesertRhino]

This is the beginning of replacing Zelinsky. The DC/London axis wants to send in that exiled general. Then they will good is with stories of “turning a corner”, “a new Dawn in Ukraine” etc etc.
And keep up the same thing.

[fireman15]

A country at war won't see any real law-enforcement, and if there is, it will itself be run by corrupt people, including those supporting Putin/Russia.

Just to clarify... you believe that in addition to everyone here who has a different opinion than you about Saint Zelensky... that law enforcement in Ukraine is run by “those supporting Putin/Russia”?

[PGR88]

that has become a battleground between young reformers, cheered on by the West,

Color revolution incoming.

And apologies to the million or so Ukrainian men killed. Sorry the last one didn't work out.

[BenLurkin]

They should be like California where nobody does anything about it and everyone pretends everything’s fine.

[kiryandil]

LOL!

Zelya the Piano Clown claims that there are still some dumb Ukies on pre-2014 Russian soil. What an effing bimbo!

[adorno]

Just to clarify... you believe that in addition to everyone here who has a different opinion than you about Saint Zelensky... that law enforcement in Ukraine is run by “those supporting Putin/Russia”?

You have a hard time understanding the written words.

I did say 'including those that support Putin/Russia'. Not exclusively Putin/Russia.

As the whole world knows (except you, apparently), Putin.Russia are always involved in intervening in and promoting and disrupting in governments that are not in Russia's sphere of influence. Ukraine is a huge target for Putin, who is at war with Ukraine and will take any opportunity to disrupt Ukraine, politically and militarily. It would be highly stupid for Putin to not take advantage of the political uprisings in Ukraine. It is expected. Heck, Russia intervenes politically in elections in most western countries, so, would Russia bypass a huge opportunity to create havoc in it's nearest enemy and target? The uprisings in Ukraine were very likely instigated from the start by Putin. He can't win the war, so, he might have a better chance by turning the Ukrainian people against Zelensky.

Use some common sense.
>br> It's always nice to notice the 'neutrality' of those who post things such as "Saint Zelensky", Your couldn't have been more obvious and biased.

[fireman15]

Use some common sense.

Always good advice even when it is coming from someone with an obviously deraigned obsession which has completely obscured his/her reasoning abilities.

[adorno]

Use some common sense.

Yep! Still good advice.

Always good advice even when it is coming from someone with an obviously deraigned obsession which has completely obscured his/her reasoning abilities.

"Deraigned" obsession. The phrase makes no sense whatsoever. Better look up 'deranged' to get the correct spelling, btw. I'll give you time to look it up... I'll wait.... ;) Time's up! Did you find it???

But, wait....

You had more in your post...

"Completely obscured reasoning abilities"... let me decipher that. Nah! Not possible.

But, if anything was 'obscured', it's your ability to understand even the simplest of comments, which you blew it, totally.

Re-read my prior comments and read with your reading comprehension skills engaged, and perhaps also engage whatever common sense you have while you're at it. Don't try to sound 'intelligent' with your Kamala-like phraseology. She is not smart at all, and you sound the same.

Again, use common sense and you might be able to stay out of trouble. ;)

How's Putin doing, btw? Did he win the war yet?