Zelensky signed the controversial bill that caused a wave of protest across the country

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a controversial bill, known as Bill No. 12414, that significantly curtailed the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption institutions, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The legislation, passed rapidly by the Verkhovna Rada on July 22, grants sweeping powers to the Prosecutor General’s Office, allowing it to oversee and reassign high-profile corruption investigations previously handled by NABU and SAPO. Critics, including opposition lawmakers and anti-corruption watchdogs, argue that this move undermines over a decade of pro-democracy reforms following the 2014 Euromaidan uprising, accusing Zelensky of consolidating power and shielding allies from scrutiny. The bill’s swift passage, with minimal debate and 263 votes in favor, sparked widespread outrage, as it was perceived as a deliberate attempt to avoid public scrutiny amid Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.

The signing of the bill triggered mass protests across Ukraine, marking the largest anti-government demonstrations since Russia’s 2022 invasion, with thousands gathering in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa despite a martial law ban on public gatherings. Protesters, including young activists, veterans, and figures like Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, expressed fears that the law could revert Ukraine to the corrupt era of former President Viktor Yanukovych, jeopardizing its EU aspirations and Western support. Zelensky defended the legislation, claiming it was necessary to address inefficiencies in corruption investigations and alleged Russian influence within NABU and SAPO, but critics, including the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, warned that it jeopardizes Ukraine’s democratic credibility and EU integration. The controversy has raised concerns about Zelensky’s leadership, with some accusing him of prioritizing loyalty over democratic principles, further complicating Ukraine’s position as it navigates ceasefire talks and international alliances.

Ukraine will not receive the Patriot systems promised by Trump by spring 2026

According to the article by Der Spiegel , Ukraine will face a significant delay in receiving Patriot air defense systems promised by U.S. President Donald Trump, with deliveries not expected before spring 2026. The article details that the delay stems from a complex exchange scheme where European nations, such as Germany, would transfer their existing Patriot systems to Ukraine, with the U.S. manufacturer RTX Corporation supplying replacements. However, production bottlenecks mean Germany will only receive its first replacement battery, originally earmarked for Switzerland, in about eight months, with subsequent deliveries facing even longer timelines. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the scarcity of available systems, despite secured funding, noting ongoing talks with countries like Norway and Sweden to source additional units. This setback, amidst Ukraine’s ceasefire negotiations and domestic controversies over anti-corruption reforms, heightens concerns about Kyiv’s ability to bolster its defenses and maintain Western support.

Russian attacks killed two and injured 30 across Ukraine over the day

At least two civilians were killed and 30 others, including children, were injured in a wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past 24 hours, according to regional authorities on July 23.

Overnight, Russia launched 71 attack and decoy drones from multiple directions, the Ukrainian Air Force reported. Air defenses shot down 27 drones in the northern, eastern, and central regions, while another 18 were downed or jammed by electronic warfare systems.

In Sumy Oblast, one person was killed and 12 others were injured during widespread drone and artillery strikes targeting the Sumy, Mykolaivka, and Seredyna-Buda communities. Local officials said residential homes, a school, a hospital, administrative buildings, shops, and vehicles were damaged in the attacks.

Russian strikes also caused significant damage to energy infrastructure in the region, leading to power outages. Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) confirmed that energy facilities in both Sumy and neighboring Poltava oblasts were hit by drones. While some sites sustained damage, most power lines have since been restored, and rail service remains operational with no reported casualties, the company said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky later noted that more than 220,000 customers—representing hundreds of thousands of families—in Sumy Oblast were left without electricity as a result of the strikes.

In Kharkiv Oblast, five people were injured in drone and missile attacks that struck Kharkiv city as well as Izium, Kupiansk, and Velykyi Burluk. Explosions damaged homes, a post office, a medical facility, and commercial sites including vehicles and a warehouse, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

In the southern Kherson Oblast, one civilian was killed and nine others injured in Russian drone strikes, including two children who suffered blast injuries in the village of Zorivka, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. More than 30 settlements were targeted in the region, damaging homes, apartment blocks, vehicles, and critical infrastructure.

Donetsk Oblast also came under heavy fire, with four people injured in shelling and drone strikes across the Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk, and Bakhmut districts. Governor Vadym Filashkin said dozens of homes, administrative buildings, vehicles, and utility lines were damaged in multiple communities.