Kyiv protesters celebrate as parliament restores powers to anti-corruption bodies

Ukraine's parliament has passed a law restoring independence to two anti-corruption bodies, essentially annulling another law adopted last week that prompted the biggest street protests since Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago.

- Shaun Walker

Despite another sleepless night for many in Kyiv as the capital was again bombarded by Russian airstrikes, several hundred protesters gathered outside the parliament building, erupting into chants of "the people are the power" as the bill passed yesterday.

"Unity is important in wartime, but even more important is remembering the values that our soldiers are defending on the frontline," said Oleksandra, a 19-year-old student. "I'm happy that the government has listened to us."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hope the new law will put an end to what had threatened to become a political crisis domestically and which had worried European allies, who warned him privately that the moves would be disastrous for Ukraine's image as a democratic state. He signed the law into force swiftly after the vote.