At a rare protest in central Kyiv demonstrators rallied Wednesday against a law that curbs the power of anti-corruption agencies, warning the fight for Ukraine's democracy was taking place both on the battlefield and at home.

The move to curb anti-corruption agencies sparked protests, and by Wednesday evening, Zelenskyy had announced a new bill that would retain the independence of the agencies.

Negotiators for the warring sides in Istanbul appeared to make little progress on ceasefire terms or a possible summit between their presidents – with their meeting ending after less than an hour.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed on another prisoner exchange during their negotiations in Turkey, with each side to hand over 1,200 prisoners, Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky told journalists in Istanbul after the talks on Wednesday evening.

Russia has launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine in months, targeting Kyiv overnight into Monday.

Another attempt at peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is on the horizon amid Russia's continuous assault on Ukraine. Russian drone and missile strikes killed at least two people and injured 15 others in Kyiv just hours before the United Kingdom and Germany will hold a meeting to discuss President Trump's plan for NATO allies to provide weapons for Ukraine.

Russia has advanced around Pokrovsk for many months, but has so far failed to entirely encircle or seize control of the city.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end their ongoing war.