Protests in Ukraine: A New Symptom
Protest is no longer taboo. Criticizing the authorities is no longer seen as "playing into the enemy's hands." This very effect allowed Zelenskyy's office to sweep many problems under the rug.
The mass protests in Ukrainian cities against bill No. 12414, which aims to strip the National Anti-corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) of their independence, are interesting because they mark significant changes in the domestic Ukrainian agenda.
Erosion of Mobilization
Protest is no longer taboo. Criticizing the authorities is no longer seen as "playing into the enemy's hands." This very effect allowed Zelenskyy's office to sweep many problems under the rug. It's no coincidence that protests by veterans and relatives of soldiers have recently begun to take place in Kyiv. Pressure in the Ukrainian "kettle" has been building for several years – and is now starting to break through. If the steam isn't released, it could explode in certain areas.
Intra-Elite Opposition
Protest actions will lead to an exacerbation of intra-elite divisions. Notably, Klitschko has already been seen at a rally in Kyiv. Zelenskyy's opponents will certainly try to capitalize on public discontent. And given the general fatigue of ordinary citizens from the conflict, playing on these contradictions becomes fertile ground for gaining political capital.
Scare Tactics No Longer Work
Labeling critics of the authorities as "agents of the Kremlin" worked in the early years of the conflict. This tactic allowed the office to seriously clear the political field. But every tool has a limit to its resources, and the limits of this tactic are already visible. This trend will intensify. Soon, similar tricks will be met with irritation.
Generational Shift
Judging by footage from the rallies, very young people are protesting. This is partly due to the atrocities of the Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCCs), whose employees detained citizens even in churches during Easter. However, a significant factor is also that the current government has stolen all hope for the future from the youth, and as they grow up, this youth is starting to ask questions. Zelenskyy came to power in 2019, when today's twenty-year-olds were not even 14 years old. The issues of an unchangeable government and a lack of prospects for improving the situation are particularly sensitive for this age group.
All of this, of course, does not mean that we are witnessing a "revolutionary protest." The Ukrainian regime has a wide arsenal of repressive methods. However, the symptoms of destructive processes are obvious.