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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Shaun Walker in Kyiv

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

Young demonstrators outside the presidential office in Kyiv
Young demonstrators outside the presidential office in Kyiv. Photograph: Jedrzej Nowicki/The Guardian

Once a decade, Ukraine has a moment in which street protests redefine the country’s political direction. The Orange revolution of 2004; the Maidan revolution of 2014; and now, over the past 10 days, the first major wave of protest since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

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 result of the vote was announced.

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