Learning English

War in Ukraine

Fighting continued on Monday, the fifth day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, despite talks aimed at securing a ceasefire.

Missile strikes killed dozens of civilians in the country's second city, Kharkiv, while air raid sirens sounded again in the capital, Kyiv.

Rob and Roy discuss language from the current news headlines that can help you understand how the conflict is being reported in English. 

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The story

By air, land, and sea, Russia has launched a devastating attack on Ukraine, a European democracy of 44 million people, and its forces are on the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv.

For months, President Vladimir Putin denied he would invade his neighbour, but then he tore up a peace deal, sending forces across borders in Ukraine's north, east and south.

As the number of dead climbs, he stands accused of shattering peace in Europe. What happens next could jeopardise the continent's entire security structure. [BBC News]

Key words and phrases

spiral
quickly become worse

• Fuel prices are spiralling out of control so I’m limiting how much I drive.
• The currency has spiralled and is now almost worthless.

free fall
uncontrolled drop in value or strength

• The value of shares has gone into free fall.
• House prices are free falling now that mortgage rates have gone up.

rising to
working hard to overcome a difficult situation

• You need to rise to the challenge and lead the team through the restructuring.
• We rose to the challenge and completed the task on time.

To do

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