Learning English

Ukraine: A turning point?

Ukraine has made military progress against Russian forces.

Neil and Sian teach you the vocabulary used in headlines about this story.

Watch the video and complete the activity

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The story 

Six thousand square kilometres.
That's how much land the Ukrainian president says his soldiers have retaken from Russian forces.
Volodymyr Zelensky's figures cannot be verified, but Russia has admitted losing key cities in the north-eastern region of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February this year and still holds about a fifth of the country.

Key words and phrases

turning point
time when things start to change

• The battle was an important turning point in the war.
• Having children is a turning point in most people's lives.

on the back foot
at a disadvantage; not prepared

• I wasn't prepared for the interview. I was on the back foot from the start.
• After losing a player in the first minute, United were on the back foot.

cement
make stronger

• The two countries cemented good relations during the state visit.
• The company cemented its position as market leader with the new product.

To do

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