Brawl in Ukraine parliament as anti-corruption bill passes after biggest anti-Zelensky protests since war forced U-turn
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A BRAWL has erupted in Ukraine's parliament as Volodymyr Zelensky U-turned on an anti-corruption bill.
The brave President has walked back curbing the power of anti-corruption bodies after protests hit the country.
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An MP wearing a white t-shirt slaps another one
Credit: Parliamentary TV-channel - RADA
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The two MPs could be seen brawling in Ukraine's parliament
Credit: Parliamentary TV-channel - RADA
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Another MP had to hold them apart
Two MPs began scrapping as the bill to repeal the week-old change was going through the Verkhovna Rada today.
An MP in a white t-shirt and another spectacled MP in a navy polo shirt threw fists at the start of the livestream of the session.
The pair appear to argue before the man in navy throws a punch and hits the man in white's armpit.
The man in white then slaps the man back before other MPs quickly jump in and break the pair up.
Although the reason for the scuffle was not known, it occurred amid a tense atmosphere in the chamber.
MPs voted 331 to 0 in favour of the bill to restore the independence of the bodies which are a check on corruption.
Zelensky had last week passed a measure to place the watchdogs under the oversight of the prosecutor-general.
However, Ukrainians took to the streets and allies of Ukraine, including the EU and human rights groups, decried the measure.
Zelensky said his goal had been to speed up prolonged investigations, ensure more convictions and remove Russian meddling in investigations, which he didn't detail.
He said he had taken note of the protests and decided to present a new bill to Parliament underscoring that the prosecutor general and his deputies cannot give orders to anti-graft agencies or interfere in their work.
Putin strikes Ukraine maternity ward in another outrageous snub to Trump
Fighting corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and join the Western bloc of wealthy, allied countries.
It is also key to maintaining access to billions of dollars of vital Western aid in the nearly 3-year all-out war.
Zelensky had warned that the bill needed to be passed in order to clear the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) of "Russian influence".
The offices of the two agencies were raided by Ukraine's security services on Monday after infiltration allegations from Moscow emerged.
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Protesters marched against the law change last week
Credit: Getty
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Thousands took to the streets, marking the first protests since Russia's invasion
Credit: AP
But many civilians strongly disagreed with his beliefs saying the bill now gives Zelensky ultimate power over independent bodies.
After the bill passed, thousands of people came together in the capital of Kyiv to take part in the biggest anti-government protest since the start of Russia's barbaric invasion in February 2022.
Though the protests didn't call for the president's removal, the controversy threatened to undermine public trust in their leaders at a critical time.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who called last week's legislative changes a serious step back, welcomed approval of the bill, saying lawmakers had corrected last week's damaging vote.
She wrote on X: "Today's law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain, Kos, who monitors the record of countries that are candidates to join the bloc.
"The EU supports (Ukrainian) citizens demands for reform. Upholding fundamental values & fighting corruption must remain the priority."
Zelensky speaks following repeal
Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken out following the repeal of the law.
He said: "I want to thank all members of parliament for passing my bill – now officially a law, as I have just signed the document. The text will be published immediately.
"This is a guarantee of the proper independent functioning of Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies and all law enforcement agencies.
"It ensures the absence of any external influence or interference, including through regular polygraph checks for all law enforcement personnel who have access to state secrets or have relatives in Russia. This is the right decision.
"It is very important that the state listens to public opinion. That it hears its citizens. Ukraine is a democracy – without a doubt."
It comes after Russia launched its latest barrage of missiles and kamikaze drones at Ukraine.
Nine people were killed around the country, including six in Kyiv.
One of those was tragically a six-year-old boy.
President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video of burning ruins, saying people were still trapped under the rubble of one residential building.
He said: "Kyiv. Missile strike. Directly into a residential building. People under the rubble. All services are on site. Russian terrorists."
The brave leader later added: "Today, the world once again saw Russia's response to our desire for peace, shared with America and Europe.
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Russia is slowly advancing in the west of Ukraine
Credit: AP
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Russia claims to have captured Chasiv Yar - with new footage showing it left in ruins
Credit: AP
"New, showcase killings. That is why peace without strength is impossible."
Heartbreaking scenes saw rescuers carrying the dead child across the rubble of the collapsed nine-storey apartment building in the Sviatoshynskyi district of Kyiv.
Russia said on Thursday it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting.
The advance, if confirmed, would mark a significant gain for Moscow's forces and could enable them to press on towards key "fortress" cities in the Donetsk region, including Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
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