Russia and Ukraine: More Fighting and Prisoner Swap

May 15, 2026, 17:05
EuropePolitics

Introduction

Russia and Ukraine are fighting more. At the same time, they traded some prisoners.

Main Body

Russia sent many drones and missiles to Ukraine. One missile hit a big apartment building in Kyiv. Twenty-four people died. President Zelenskyy says the world must stop Russia from making these missiles. Ukraine also attacked Russia. They used drones to hit an oil factory in Ryazan. Four people died and 28 people were hurt. The two countries are angry and do not speak. Russia and Ukraine also traded prisoners. The US and UAE helped them. Each side gave back 205 prisoners. This is the only way the two sides still work together.

Conclusion

The war is still very dangerous. Many people are dying and the leaders do not have a plan for peace.

Learning

πŸ’‘ The 'Action' Pattern

Look at how the story tells us what happened. It uses a simple formula: Who β†’\rightarrow Did What β†’\rightarrow To Whom/What.

  • Russia β†’\rightarrow sent β†’\rightarrow drones
  • Ukraine β†’\rightarrow attacked β†’\rightarrow Russia
  • The US β†’\rightarrow helped β†’\rightarrow them

Quick Tip for A2: To talk about the past, we often just add -ed to the action word:

  • Help β†’\rightarrow Helped
  • Attack β†’\rightarrow Attacked

Careful! Some words are 'rebels' and change completely:

  • Send β†’\rightarrow Sent
  • Give β†’\rightarrow Gave
  • Speak β†’\rightarrow Spoke

πŸ“¦ Word Groups

Notice these 'Counting' words in the text:

  • Many (for things you can count: many drones, many people)
  • Some (for a small, unknown amount: some prisoners)

Vocabulary Learning

fighting
The action of fighting or being in a fight
Example:The soldiers were fighting in the war.
prisoners
People who are kept in jail or held captive
Example:The prisoners were released after the swap.
missiles
Weapons that fly through the air to hit a target
Example:The missiles were launched from the air base.
drones
Small unmanned aircraft that can fly and take pictures or attack
Example:The drones flew over the battlefield.
factory
A building where goods are made
Example:The oil factory was damaged.
dangerous
Something that can cause harm or injury
Example:The war is very dangerous.
leaders
People who guide or direct others
Example:The leaders talked about peace.
plan
A set of ideas for doing something
Example:They have a plan for ending the war.
peace
A state where there is no war and people live calmly
Example:They hope for peace soon.