← The President's Daily Brief
The President's Daily Brief
February 18th, 2026: Ukrainian Troops Make Fastest Gains Since 2023 & U.S. Boots On The Ground In Nigeria
00:23:18
Loading summary
Transcript3 lines
- [00:12]
A
It's Wednesday, the 18th of February. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up, Ukraine launches its most successful series of counterattacks since 2023, reclaiming more than 200 square kilometers in just five days. Could a breakdown in Russian command and control be the reason for the Ukrainian successes? I'll have those details later in the show. Boots on the ground. In Nigeria, 100 US troops deploy to support local forces battling Islamic militants as extremist violence threatens broader stability across West Africa. Plus, New Delhi detains three US Sanctioned tankers tied to Iran, tightening the net, of course, on illicit oil trade. And in today's back of the brief, US Forces target three more suspected drug trafficking boats in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean. But first, today's PDB Spotlight. We're starting things off today with some surprising news from the front lines of the war in Ukraine. In just five days, Ukrainian forces have reclaimed roughly 201 square kilometers. That's the fastest pace of territorial gains since 2023. That figure is nearly equivalent to the total amount of ground that Russian forces seized over the entire month of December. It represents Kyiv's most significant burst of battlefield momentum in more than two and a half years. Now, to be clear, this isn't a sweeping counteroffensive like the major operations we saw back in 2022, according to the Institute for the Study of War. What we're seeing instead are coordinated tactical counter attacks, localized pushes designed to blunt Russian advances, reclaim key terrain, and dis Moscow's preparations for future offensives. Ukrainian military observers report that Russian advances began slowing around 8 February and have largely stalled since. In several narrow areas, Ukrainian forces were able to push Russian lines back by several kilometers, reclaiming positions that Moscow had spent months grinding forward to secure. The most concentrated Ukrainian gains were recorded roughly 80 kilometers east of Zaporizhzhia. And that's an area where Russian forces had been making steady progress since the summer of 2025. Ukrainian forces also regained ground along multiple other eastern fronts, suggesting that this was not an isolated flare up, but part of a broader tactical effort to regain the initiative. Now, to maintain perspective, Moscow still controls roughly one fifth of Ukrainian territory, including areas it seized before the full scale invasion back in February of 2022. But it does represent a meaningful shift in tempo. So you ask yourself, what accounts for these gains? Well, the biggest factor may be technological. Russian forces recently lost access to Starlink satellite communication systems that had been supporting their operations. Russian military bloggers have complained publicly that the loss of Starlink created disruptions in communications and command and control on the battlefield. Ukrainian officials had previously accused Russian forces of using Starlink terminals to coordinate drone operations and circumvent electronic jamming. Around 5 February, reports emerged that those systems were disrupted, notably during that five day period in which Ukraine recaptured over 200 square kilometers. If the assessment is true, well, it shows just how important connectivity is on today's battlefields. There's also a strategic layer here. Russian military command has reportedly been preparing for a potential summer offensive. But those plans require staging areas and favorable starting positions. Ukrainian counterattacks may have complicated those preparations, forcing Moscow to divert resources to stabilize the front rather than prepare for expansion. Again, it would be wrong to interpret these gains as a turning point. Somehow in the war, Russian forces remain deeply entrenched. Their manpower advantage is significant. Significant. And Moscow has shown a willingness to absorb heavy losses in exchange for incremental territorial gains. What this may change, however, is leverage. Because these Ukrainian gains come as a new round of peace talks began yesterday in Switzerland. Ukrainian and Russian officials sat down for another U.S. brokered round of negotiations. The third trilateral meeting in roughly three weeks. Now, expectations remain low. Previous discussions were described as productive in tone, but yielded little beyond prisoner exchanges. And all of the major sticking points, of course, remain unresolved. Russia continues to demand significant portions of eastern Ukrainian territory, even areas that it doesn't currently fully occupy. President Zelensky has called that a non starter warning against allowing the aggressor to take something. Kyiv is also pushing for post war Western security guarantees. That's something that Moscow insists cannot include Western troop deployments. Deployments. While at the same time the war continues to grind on. Even as negotiators met yesterday, Russia launched another wave of missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure. Russia has long argued that its slow grinding advances give it the upper hand and that Ukraine would be better off just accepting territorial concessions now rather than losing more land later. These recent Ukrainian counter attacks complicates that Kremlin narrative. They demonstrate that Moscow doesn't have contested momentum. And the Ukrainian counterattacks serve to limit Moscow's leverage at the negotiating table. In war, especially in a war entering its fifth year, even modest shifts in momentum can shape the political calculus. All right, coming up next, 100 U.S. troops deployed to Nigeria to support local forces battling Islamic militants. And India seizes three Iran linked US sanctioned oil tankers in a move that increases pressure on Tehran's illicit oil trade. I'll Be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here with a message for dog lovers. Now, when it comes to your dog food, there always seems to be a compromise that you have to make. It's either fresh and healthy or it's easy to store and serve with sundaes for dogs. Well, you get both and your dog gets the best because frankly, your dog deserves the best. Founded by veterinarian Dr. Tori Waxman, Sundaes is created with air dried real food made in a human food grade kitchen using the same ingredients you'd use to cook for your family. Every bite is clean, packed with real meat, fruits and veggies. No weird unpronounceable ingredients, no fillers. Compared to other brands, Sundaes invests 50 times more in its ingredients for true premium quality. No cost cutting. Just scoop and serve. No freezer, no thawing, no prep, no mess, no fuss, no muss. As they say, make the switch to Sundays. Go right now to Sundays for dogs.com PDB50 and get 50% off your first order. That's half. 50% off. Come on. Or you can use code PDB50 at checkout. That's 50% off your first order at Sundays for dogs.com pdb50 Sundays for dogs.com Pdb50 or use code PDB50 at checkout.
- [07:44]
B
Early birds always rise to the occasion for summer vacation planning because early gets you closer to the action. So don't be late. Book your next vacation early on VRBO and save over $120. Rise and shine. Average savings $141. Select homes only.
- [08:01]
A
Welcome back to the PDB. After months of renewed counterterrorism pressure, Washington is deepening its presence in West Africa. Around 100American troops and military equipment are now in Nigeria, opening a new phase of support in the government's fight against Boko Haram and isis West Africa militants. The deployment this week, which came at the request of the Nigerian government, represents the first wave of what US Africa Command describes as a roughly 200 person support mission. More personnel are expected in the coming weeks, including intelligence analysts, advisors and trainers. According to Fox News, U.S. forces are not there to conduct direct combat operations. Nigerian officials emphasize that American personnel will operate under full Nigerian command authority, providing technical expertise, intel support and training. In other words, this is about strengthening Nigeria's long term ability to confront extremist networks, not replacing Nigerian forces on the battlefield. As we've been covering here on the pdb, focus in the region is squarely on groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province organizations that have spent years terrorizing northern Nigeria and destabilizing the Lake Chad basin. Now, these terror groups are responsible for mass kidnappings, targeted killings, village raids and attacks on Christian and even Muslim communities. Their playbook has been simple. Undermine the Nigerian state through sustained violence and intimidation. If you're a longtime PDB listener, you know that this latest move from Washington doesn't. Well, doesn't come out of nowhere. It builds on prior action taken under President Trump's direction. Just a few months ago. Back On Christmas Day, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes in Sokoto state targeting what U. S. Africa command described as Islamic State militants. At the time, President Trump wrote on truth social that the U. S. Conducted, quote, a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria, accusing the group of targeting Christians at levels quote, not seen for many years and even centuries, end quote. Africom said those strikes were coordinated with Nigerian authorities. So what we're seeing now is a bit of a shift. Instead of episodic strike operations, Washington is transitioning to a more sustained advisory presence, deepening intel integration and reinforcing Nigeria's counterterrorism capabilities over the long term. There's also the additional diplomatic layer to this. On the 8th of February, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu met at the statehouse in Abuja with a US Delegation led by africom commander General Dagvin Anderson, now senior Nigerian military intelligence security officials were also present. The focus of that meeting, expanding intelligence sharing and tightening operational coordination, which is now underway. And that matters because relations between Washington and Abuja previously experienced friction over religious violence and civilian protection. Trump openly criticized Nigeria's earlier handling of extremist violence, particularly attacks targeting Christian communities. The current deployment suggests that those tensions have eased and that both capitals are now aligned and confronting a common threat. Okay. Shifting focus to India, where New Delhi took action against the shadow oil trade by seizing three tankers sanctioned by the US and tied to Iran, a move that reflects strengthening alignment with Washington's campaign to choke off illicit regime energy flows. The vessels, the Stellaruby, the Asphalt Attar and the Al Jafziya were intercepted roughly 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai after Indian authorities detected suspicious activity inside the country's exclusive economic zone. It all happened inside waters that India considers under its jurisdiction. Indian authorities initially posted about the interception on X on 6 February, saying three vessels had been stopped after suspicious activity. That post was later deleted, but a source with direct knowledge confirmed to Reuters that the ships were escorted to Mumbai for further investigation. According to the source, the Vessels repeatedly changed identities to evade enforcement, a tactic that has become a classic sanctions evasion maneuver. For those unfamiliar, the ships involved in illicit trade alter their names, their documentation, ownership structures, trying to make it harder, of course, for regulators to trace their movements. While names, flags and paperwork can shift, International Maritime Organization identification numbers do not. When investigators reviewed each of the vessels unique seven digit identification numbers, they matched tankers previously sanctioned by the U.S. treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. Ships originally known as the Global Peace, the Chill one and the Glory Star one. So where do these ships originate? Look no further than the Islamic Republic. Two of the three vessels are directly linked to Iran. Shipping data shows that Al Jafsiya carried Iranian oil to Djibouti in 2025, while Stellar Ruby was flagged in Iran. When it comes to the Asphalt Star, that vessel primarily operated routes in China. Corridor is often scrutinized in sanctions enforcement cases. As you can imagine, in Tehran, there was immediate denial. Iranian state media, citing the National Iranian Oil Company, denied any connection to the seized vessels or cargoes. There's nothing to see here. We have no idea what's going on. The sanctions designations and shipping data, however, well make the mullah's claim verifiably false. Now, why, you ask, would India step in? Part of the answer comes from Washington. These seizures come amid strengthening US India ties. Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced that it would reduce import tariff tariffs on Indian goods to 18%. That's down from 50% after New Delhi agreed to halt Russian oil imports. Trump has consistently emphasized tightening sanctions enforcement against both Iran and Russia, using economic leverage, including tariffs and trade concessions, to push partners toward closer alignment with American pressure campaigns. That creates a clear incentive for India to demonstrate it is not allowing sanctioned energy networks to operate freely in its waters. So to reinforce its message and its aligned partnership with Washington, the Indian Coast Guard has deployed approximately 55 ships and about a dozen aircraft for round the clock monitoring of its maritime zones. All right, coming up in today's Back of the brief, American military forces strike three more suspected narco trafficking vessels at sea, killing 11 more on that when we come back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take just a moment to talk about personal finances and reaching your financial goals. So let's be honest. Right now, it does seem for many folks that the math just isn't adding up. You know what I'm talking about. Between your grocery bills, utility bills, gas bills, skyrocketing insurance premiums, it can be tough to make ends meet, right? Even with a steady job, more and more Families are being forced to rely on high interest credit cards just to cover expenses. So if you're a homeowner caught in that cycle carrying balances with interest rates in the 20s or even 30s, it's time to get some relief. American Financing is helping homeowners pay off that high interest debt at rates in the low fives. Their salary based mortgage consultants build exit strategies to help you get out from under that debt. On average, they're saving their customers $800 a month. Plus if you start today, you may even delay the next two mortgage payments. And there's no upfront fees. Just to find out how much you could save America's home for home loans is American financing the number 866-885-1881. Once again, that number 8668851881 or just visit american financing.net PDB Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, you likely know me as the host of the President's Daily Brief. Well, I certainly hope you know me as the host of the pdb. But you may not know that I'm also quite the expert on Roman Giving. It's true. I am constantly fielding questions like hey Mike, what should I get my wife or my girlfriend to show I care? Well, you know, that's me. I'm constantly helping folks improve their relationships. So when you want to show a little love to that special someone, here's my top tip. Go to Cozy Earth. That's right. It's right there in the name Cozy. That's what they're all about. Look, if you haven't been shopping at Cozy Earth, I have no idea what you're doing with your time now. For instance, their bamboo pajama set. Check these out. It's a total sleep upgrade. They're lightweight, but cozy. There's that word again. And ridiculously soft. The fabric is actually cooler than cotton, so you fall asleep faster and you stay comfortable all night long. Or get this. Imagine you're a special someone relaxing on the sofa underneath Cozy Earth's classic cuddle blanket. Come on, seriously, with a name like that, you're halfway to shenanigans. Or, or at least halfway to a cozy relaxing time on the sofa. Whichever. It's richly plush with just the right comforting weight. It's warm, it's indulgent and instantly relaxing. What really sets Cozy Earth apart is how risk free it is. You get a 100 night sleep trial and listen to this. A 10 year warranty. Share a little extra love this February and wrap yourself or someone you care about in comfort. That truly feels special. Head on over to cozyearth.com and use my code PDB for up to 20% off. That's code PDB for up to 20 percent off. And if you get a post purchase survey, well be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the pdb. Celebrate every day with comfort that makes the little moments and those big moments count. Hey PDB listeners, Mike Baker here with a quick recommendation for your podcast playlist. Look, if you like deep, insightful conversations with world class thinkers and who doesn't? Come on, check out the Jordan Harbinger Show. It's available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen. Jordan sits down with people who've been in the room at the highest levels, from national security leaders to thinkers reshaping how we understand the world. You'll hear ideas and stories that go way beyond the usual sound bites. Two episodes I'd recommend an interview with our friend Ryan Macbeth on Venezuela's collapse. That's a clear look at how a once wealthy oil state unraveled and what that means, of course, for regional stability. And also his conversation with Douglas Murray where they explore the pressures facing Western democracies and what those trends mean for long term stability. Download the Jordan Harbinger Show. That's H A R B I N G E R just like it sounds on Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your shows. Or just go to jordanharbinger.com start to dive right in. It's one of those podcasts that makes you smarter, so give it a go. In today's Back of the Brief America's maritime offensive against narco Traffickers continues to U.S. forces carried out three more strikes this week against suspected drug running boats, two in the Eastern Pacific and one in the Caribbean, killing 11 individuals in total. According to U.S. southern Command. The vessels were being operated by what the military is calling designated terrorist organizations. Eight men were killed in the two Pacific strikes, four in each vessel and three more were killed in the Caribbean operation. The strikes were ordered under the direction of southcom Commander General Francis Donovan and marks the first publicly acknowledged strike in the Caribbean year. Zooming out this is part of a much larger maritime campaign that began last September. Since then, the US has announced 40 strikes on suspected narco boats, resulting in 135 deaths. The Trump administration has framed these operations as targeting networks responsible for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl drugs that continue to drive the majority of overdose deaths in the US the military has not publicly detailed what specific narcotics were on these vessels, but fentanyl remains a central concern. According to the Government Accountability Office, synthetic opioids are now responsible for most fatal overdoses nationwide. While fentanyl often enters the US through land crossings, the precursor chemicals used to manufacture it typically originate overseas, frequently from China, and move through global smuggling networks. The latest strikes come as the US Continues to ramp up its enforcement efforts at sea. As we reported just days ago, the US Conducted a rite of visit boarding of a Sanction tanker linked to the transport of Iranian oil. That vessel, sailing under a Panamanian flag, was associated with a Chinese shipping company already under sanctions. Confused? Well, yeah. So are a lot of people. The tanker had reportedly violated a US Imposed quarantine around Venezuela and was tracked from the Caribbean all the way to the Indian Ocean. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily brief for Wednesday, 18 February. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at pdb@thefirsttv.com and if you're hankering for an ad free PDB experience, simply become a premium member of the President's Daily Brief by visiting PDB premium.com I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back later today with the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.