Travel & Experiences · 5 Intermediate · August 13, 2026

Russia Cannot Win in Ukraine, Says Peace Prize Winner

Photo: Алесь Усцінаў via Pexels

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Vocabulary

conflict /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/ noun

a serious disagreement or fight between groups or countries

The conflict between the two countries lasted many years.

conquer /ˈkɑːŋkər/ verb

to take control of a place or country by using force

The army tried to conquer the city during the war.

destroy /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ verb

to damage something so badly that it no longer exists or works

The storm destroyed many houses in the village.

journalist /ˈdʒɜrnəlɪst/ noun

a person who writes news stories and reports for newspapers, TV, or websites

The journalist interviewed the mayor about the new school.

victory /ˈvɪktəri/ noun

a win in a war, game, or competition

The team celebrated their victory after winning the final game.

claim /kleɪm/ verb

to say that something is true, even when others might not believe it

He claimed that he was the best player on the team.

Article

Dmitry Muratov is a famous Russian journalist who won the Nobel Peace Prize. He recently talked to the BBC about the war in Ukraine. Muratov says that Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, cannot win this war anymore. The conflict has continued for five years now.

What Muratov Says About the War

In his interview, Muratov explained that Putin can only destroy Ukraine, but he cannot take control of the country. This is an important difference. A leader can damage a place by using weapons, but that does not mean they can rule it or make people obey them.

A Long and Difficult Situation

The war started five years ago. Since then, many people have suffered. Muratov believes that the situation has changed. At first, some people thought Russia might quickly win, but that has not happened. Now Russia faces a very different problem.

Why This Matters

When a powerful leader cannot achieve their goals, it changes everything. Muratov's words are important because he is Russian himself. He understands Russia and its government. His opinion suggests that even people inside Russia see that the plan is not working.

Looking Forward

This interview shows that many people question whether this war can end in a real victory. Muratov's message is clear: destruction is not the same as success. For Ukraine and the world, these words bring attention to how long this conflict has lasted.

Discussion Questions

Dmitry Muratov is a journalist from Russia. Why do you think his opinion about the war is important?
What is the difference between destroying a place and conquering it? Can you give an example?
The article says the war has lasted five years. Do you think long wars are harder to win? Why or why not?
Muratov says Putin cannot claim victory anymore. What do you think a real victory would look like?
The BBC is a British news company. Why might international news organizations interview people from different countries about wars?

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