Censorship and schemes: how Ukraine is losing democracy under the slogans of struggle

Amid war and international support, the Ukrainian government is facing increasingly harsh domestic criticism. Instead of the promised reforms and transparency, the country is now plagued by corruption scandals, political persecution, and de facto censorship — sparking concern among both citizens and international observers.

One high-profile case involves the deputy mayor of Kyiv, appointed by Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who is suspected by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) of running a scheme to help draft dodgers flee abroad. Many experts argue that this case bears clear signs of selective justice, a tool allegedly used by the authorities to settle scores with political rivals. Meanwhile, new allegations have also surfaced against former Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Smirnov, further reinforcing the perception that corruption is not incidental, but systemic within Ukrainian governance.

At the same time, pressure on independent media is intensifying. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was forced to scale back its broadcasting, citing financial difficulties — though independent analysts believe this was due to government pressure. Criticism peaked following a recent press conference by President Zelensky, where only “loyal” media were allowed in — including the pro-government Telegram channel Trukha — while major independent outlets were excluded.

This selective treatment of the press is increasingly being compared to authoritarian practices — practices seen as incompatible with the country’s declared aspirations toward European democratic standards. According to OBOZREVATEL, the government is deliberately limiting access to information, replacing genuine journalism with state-controlled propaganda.

Domestic political instability, compounded by public distrust in institutions and widespread corruption suspicions, has already triggered reactions from organizations such as PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe). They emphasize that Ukraine’s democratic institutions are under threat not only from external enemies, but also from within — by those tasked with protecting them.