Protests in Ukraine Democracy 'strong' after demonstrators test a wartime taboo

Once a decade, Ukraine has a moment in which street protests redefine the country's political direction.

- Shaun Walker

The Orange revolution of 2004, the Maidan revolution of 2014, and now, over the past 10 days, the first significant 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 changes they had adopted a week previously. Outside parliament, crowds whooped and cheered.

The size, scope and demands of this protest movement have been much more modest than those of its predecessors, but the spectacle has been no less remarkable.

The final, celebratory gathering came only hours after the latest massive Russian airstrike hit Kyiv, killing at least 28 people including three children. Hardly anyone had managed a good night's sleep.

This wartime context to a large extent inspired the protests: a common sentiment that when people are laying down their lives for the country, the government has to live up to certain values. But it also limited their scope. There was a sober acknowledgement that all-out political unrest would only play into Russia's hands.