Why are Ukrainians protesting President Zelenskyy's anti-corruption bill?
It is the first major protest against the government in more than three years of war.
Zelenskyy, who was elected in 2019 on a pledge to rid his country of graft, signed a bill reducing the autonomy of two Ukrainian anti-corruption bureaus on Tuesday.
Here, ITV News explains what the bill does and why Ukrainians are protesting against it.
What is the bill, and why is it so controversial?
The controversial bill removed the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies - the national anti-corruption bureau, known as Nabu, and the anti-corruption prosecutor's office.
It will mean Ukraine's prosecutor general, who is a political appointee, will have new authority over which investigations and cases are pursued.
The agencies themselves and critics say the changes could significantly weaken their independence and give President Zelenskyy's circle more influence over investigations.
Despite public outrage, President Zelenskyy signed the bill into law on Tuesday.
Why are people protesting the changes?
Fighting entrenched corruption is seen as crucial for Ukraine's bid to join the European Union and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid.
In a post on X, the EU's Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called the recent vote in Ukraine's parliament 'a serious step back.'
Some protesters have accused Ukraine's leadership of putting loyalty and personal connections ahead of stopping corruption.
'Those who swore to protect the laws and the Constitution have instead chosen to shield their inner circle, even at the expense of Ukrainian democracy," said Oleh Symoroz, a veteran at one of the protests.
'Instead of setting an example of zero tolerance for corruption, the president is using his power to take control of criminal cases involving his allies."
What has Zelenskyy said?
On X, President Zelenskyy defended the changes that had been made, saying the agencies needed to be cleared of "Russian influence."
The changes to the law came a day after Kyiv's domestic security agency arrested two officials from one of the anti-corruption organisations (Nabu) on suspicion of ties to Russia.
President Zelenskyy continued: "It is important that the Prosecutor General is determined to ensure that in Ukraine the inevitability of punishment for those who go against the law is actually ensured. This is what Ukraine really needs.
"The cases that have been lying dormant must be investigated. For years, officials who have fled Ukraine have been casually living abroad for some reason – in very nice countries and without legal consequences – and this is not normal."
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