When Ukrainian Gen Z hit the streets to defend anti-corruption agencies, they turned protest signs into an art form. Armed with cardboard, markers, and three years of war-induced gray hair, they created what might be the most literate protest movement in recent memory.
These weren’t your typical angry slogans. Protesters quoted Taras Shevchenko alongside modern poets, mixed classical Ukrainian literature with creative profanity, and crafted messages that read like Twitter threads gone beauti
When Ukrainian Gen Z hit the streets to defend anti-corruption agencies, they turned protest signs into an art form. Armed with cardboard, markers, and three years of war-induced gray hair, they created what might be the most literate protest movement in recent memory.
These weren’t your typical angry slogans. Protesters quoted Taras Shevchenko alongside modern poets, mixed classical Ukrainian literature with creative profanity, and crafted messages that read like Twitter threads gone beautifully offline. “Do cattle low when NABU is whole?” riffed on 19th-century novels. “Nations don’t die of heart attacks—first their NABU and SAPO are taken away” played with national poetry. And yes, plenty of signs just said “fuck” in various creative arrangements.
Political experts later explained why the profanity worked so well: it desacralizes power and connects educated protesters with ordinary voters. Basically, when you tell authorities “you’re wrong,” you stay polite. When you say “you’ve lost your fucking minds,” you’re questioning whether they deserve power at all. Guess which one scares politicians more.
The result? President Zelenskyy backed down in 72 hours. Turns out democracy responds better to cardboard signs and literary references than most people expected.
Law 12414 would have transferred control of Ukraine’s main anti-corruption bodies—NABU and SAPO—to a presidentially-appointed prosecutor general. These agencies were created after the 2014 Revolution of Dignity as independent watchdogs. For protesters, many of whom had relatives who died creating these institutions, the law felt like betrayal from within.
After three days of protests, Zelenskyy announced he would submit new legislation preserving the agencies’ independence. Sometimes the pen—or marker—really is mightier than the sword.
More about the Gen Z that nobody expected
They came. They cussed. They won.
“History is cyclical, the power is cynical.” Protesters at demonstrations in Kyiv. Photo: Evgeny Sosnovsky“One step separates Volodymyr from Vladimir” says a protesters’ sign, urging President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to not sign the law gutting Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies lest he becomes like Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Photo: Evgeny Sosnovsky
You’ve fucking lost it, you devils. Photo: Anton Senenko
My brother didn’t die for this future. Photo: Natalia Sedletska RFE/RL
“There won’t be a mini-Russia here. Independence for NABU and SAPO.” Protesters in Kyiv demonstrate to repeal a law curbing the independence of anti-corruption agencies. Photo: Corrie Nieto
This law pulls the trigger on the home front. Photo: Natalia Khitsova
In Ukraine, sovereignty starts and ends with the people. Photo: Yevhen Vasyliev
“My fear is lips sewn shut.” Photo: Evgeny Sosnovsky“Wear condoms when you fuck the law.” “Corruption likes silence! Don’t be silent. Destroying NABU and SAPO = betraying the rear to the enemy.” Protesters in Kyiv, Photo: Evgeny Sosnovsky “Photo: Evgeny Sosnovsky“12414 circles of Ukrainian hell” – a reference to law #12414, which curbs the independence of anti-corruption agencies. Photo: Corrie Nieto
I stand for myself — and for those on the front line. Photo: Olena Chebeliuk
My dog was ready for a trip to the EU but had to rush to the rally instead. Photo: Suspilne Rivne
“Don’t touch NABU or I’ll bite you all.” A dog at protests in Kyiv, 25 July 2025. Photo: Alya Shandra“Not servants of the people, but protectors of kleptocracy.” “Glory to Ukraine-Glory to the Heroes.” Protesters against Zelenskyy’s anti-corruption crackdown in Kyiv, 25 July 2025. Photo: Alya Shandra
Don’t push the NABU [anti-corruption agency] — Oleksandr Usyk’s English transformed. Photo: open source
“Did you want to move to Rostov?” — a reference to pro-Russian ex-President Yanykovych, who escaped to Russia and gave press-conferences from Rostov-on-Don. “Don’t push the cringe” — a riff off Oleksandr Usyk’s proverbial “Don’t push the horses,” said in imperfect English before the match with Anthony Dubois. Photo: Corrie Nieto
Why the f*** do I need a system that works against me. Photo: open source
My Dad didn’t die for the Servant of the People [Zelenskyy’s party]. From little Vova [Zelenskyy] to one big dickhead. Photo: Ukrainska Pravda
Dad’s [fighting] at Pokrovsk, and I’m here – at the Office of the President. Photo: Ukrainska Pravda
Confused about the law? We’ve got you:
Explained: why Ukraine nuked its own anti-corruption agencies
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