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Just text PDB to the number 989-898-8. It's Thursday, the 18th of September. Welcome to the PDB afternoon bulletin.

I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage.

Let's get briefed.

First up, Russia's offensive appears to have stalled, and in some areas,

it's Keeves forces pushing forward, reclaiming lost ground.

We'll have the latest from the front.

And later in the show,

another dangerous encounter in the South China Sea. Chinese and Philippine vessels collide near a disputed shoal, with injuries reported, and both sides, of course, trading blame. But first,

today's afternoon spotlight. It's been a while since we've taken a look at the situation on the

ground in Ukraine, and that's partly because, through the summer, the story has been a familiar

one, Russia pushing forward with slow grinding offensives and Ukraine struggling to hold them back.

But in recent days, the story has shifted. Moscow's summer offensive appears to have wound down, and Ukraine is not only holding the line,

but even gaining back some ground.

Now, you wouldn't know that if you listen to the Russian leadership.

At the end of August, the chief of Russia's general staff, Valerie Yerasmov,

declared what he called, quote, major victories in both eastern and southern Ukraine.

He claimed thousands of square kilometers of territory have been captured,

...