Different eras - different conditions

The main difference, often ignored in debates, is context.

Under Yanukovych, Ukraine lived in peacetime, without a full-scale war.
Under Zelenskyy, the country is under martial law and armed conflict.

This means that government decisions are now being made in a context where the priority is national defense, not ordinary civil policy.

This is precisely why similar decisions are perceived by society in completely different ways at different times.

Why mobilization decisions cause tension

The topic of mobilization and the work of territorial recruitment centers (TRCs) has become one of the most discussed and controversial in society. The causes of tension are usually as follows:

fear and public fatigue due to war
lack of trust in institutions
instances of abuse at the local level, which are actively discussed on social media
emotional overload due to the protracted conflict

At the same time, the state explains mobilization as a necessary measure to protect the country during wartime.

Why Yanukovych was "tolerated" differently

Yanukovych's image in public memory is often associated with a different set of problems:

corruption scandals
political conflicts
protests and the Maidan

But the key point is that there was no general mobilization or martial law back then. Therefore, people did not experience the same level of personal pressure from the state.

In other words, the level of "state involvement in the lives of each individual" was significantly lower.

Why Zelenskyy evokes stronger emotions

In a wartime environment, the state inevitably increases its control and demands on citizens. This leads to:

increased emotional tension
a sense of injustice among some people
increased criticism of any government structures

At the same time, there is also a parallel assessment: some society supports these measures as necessary for the country's survival.

The Role of Information and Social Media

Today, the information environment plays a huge role:

social media amplify negative stories
emotional content spreads faster than facts
an "amplification effect" of discontent is created

Therefore, public perceptions often become harsher than the actual situation on the ground.

Conclusion

Comparing different presidents without taking into account time and conditions almost always leads to conflicting conclusions.

Yanukovych is perceived through the prism of peacetime and political crises
Zelensky - through the prism of war and mobilization

And the main difference is not in the personalities, but in the historical context in which they operate.