The President’s Daily Brief – Afternoon Bulletin
Episode: December 10th, 2025: Russia Nearly Took Down U.S.-Bound Planes & Zelensky Ready To Hold Elections
Host: Mike Baker

Overview

In this episode, host Mike Baker delivers urgent updates on two major international developments: Russia’s covert sabotage campaign against the West—which nearly resulted in attacks on U.S.-bound aircraft—and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s readiness to hold long-delayed elections, provided security can be guaranteed by Western allies. Baker dissects the implications of Russian shadow warfare, the evolving threat to NATO and the U.S., and the precarious political situation in Ukraine as it battles corruption, invasion, and mounting international pressure for democratic renewal.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Russia’s Shadow War Reaches the U.S. (00:34–08:20)

• Escalation of Russian Hybrid Warfare:
  Baker outlines fresh findings about Moscow’s covert sabotage operations across Europe, extending to potential attacks on U.S.-bound planes.

  “Bombshell reporting reveals Russia’s hybrid or shadow war nearly reached the US. European intelligence now says a Russian sabotage network was preparing to attack U.S.-bound aircraft. It’s almost like Putin doesn’t have any interest in peace, huh?” — Mike Baker (00:44)

• Details of the Near-Miss Attack:

  • In July of the previous year, explosive devices in DHL parcels detonated at logistics hubs in the UK, Poland, and Germany.
  • Each device was strong enough to bring down a cargo aircraft if detonated aboard.
  • European officials believe six kilos of additional explosives signaled a plan for a next-phase attack targeting U.S.-bound flights.

  “European officials now believe Russian operatives were preparing for an attack on U.S.-bound aircraft, something that they say could have caused more disruption to global aviation than anything since the September 11 attacks.” — Mike Baker (02:32)

• Broader Sabotage Campaign:

  • Plots uncovered include derailing passenger trains, setting fire to public buildings, poisoning water supplies, and disabling key infrastructure.
  • Drone incursions have targeted airports and military installations in Poland, Denmark, Germany, and Belgium, often in coordinated “clusters.”
  • Russian operatives scout critical infrastructure sites, following Soviet-era sabotage doctrine.

  “Russian operatives are also scouting bridges, rail bottlenecks, energy lines, and other operational targets that match Cold War sabotage doctrine. Almost line for line.” — Mike Baker (04:18)

• Structure of Operations:

  • Moscow is leveraging a “gig economy of spycraft,” using “disposable assets”—young men, often unaffiliated, recruited online and paid in cryptocurrency.
  • Wagner mercenary networks are also involved in recruitment.
  • This method increases scale and deniability.

• Strategic Implications:

  • European intelligence warns that Russia may be entering a “pre-war phase”—deniable attacks, higher risk tolerance for civilian casualties, and relentless probing for weak points.

  “The goal isn’t always destruction. Sometimes it’s reconnaissance. Sometimes it’s confusion. Sometimes it’s both.” — Mike Baker (05:30)

  • U.S.-bound attacks were a planned next step, disrupted only by Europol and allied intelligence intervention.

2. Zelensky Open to Elections Amid Wartime Pressure and Corruption (08:20–14:06)

• Zelensky’s Announcement:

  • Facing plummeting approval over a corruption scandal, Zelensky signals election openness—if U.S. and European allies can help secure the vote.

  “He said Tuesday he’d be prepared to hold elections within three months if the U.S. and Europe can guarantee security of a wartime vote.” — Mike Baker (08:32)

• Political Context:

  • Zelensky’s term expired last year; Ukrainian law bans elections under martial law.
  • Trump and other critics accuse Kyiv of using war as a pretext to delay voting, putting pressure on Ukrainian leadership.

  “Zelensky was quick to answer. He labeled that suggestion as, quote, ‘totally inadequate’ and made clear that if Washington and European partners can secure the democratic process, Ukraine could be ready to head to the polls in 60 to 90 days.” — Mike Baker (08:58)

• Challenges to Democratic Process:

  • Ongoing war: daily Russian strikes, occupation, and displacement complicate logistics and safety.
  • Millions of Ukrainians remain abroad or internally displaced, entire regions under Russian control—raising doubts about free and fair participation.

  “How to protect polling stations under fire, out of registered voters who've been displaced across multiple countries, and whether anyone in frontline or occupied regions could participate at all.” — Mike Baker (11:18)

• International and Russian Stakes:

  • Trump views elections as a potential means to break the negotiation stalemate; Putin welcomes anything that could remove Zelensky.
  • Russian propaganda leverages Ukraine’s election delay to challenge government legitimacy.

  “Putin’s Christmas wish for at least a couple of years now has been to replace Zelensky in Ukraine with a pro-Russian option.” — Mike Baker (10:12)

• Ukrainian Public Opinion and Political Rivals:

  • Most Ukrainians oppose elections during war, but political renewal has appeal after recent scandals.
  • Zelensky’s support down to 20%, though still leads rivals—General Valerii Zaluzhnyi trails by just one point; intelligence head Kirilo Budanov stands at 5%. Neither challenger has declared candidacy.

  “Ironically, that could make peace negotiations even more difficult than they already are and of course would backfire on Putin’s long standing effort to get Zelensky out of the way.” — Mike Baker (12:32) “Polling... found that while 60% still trust him, only 25 believe Zelensky should remain in office once the war ends.” — Mike Baker (13:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Russia’s scaling covert campaigns:

  “This dispersed, low cost structure gives Russia something that it didn’t have even during the Cold War. And that would be scale. Hundreds of potential actors, each capable of causing chaos, all while maintaining deniability.” — Mike Baker (05:00)

• On Ukrainian election conundrum:

  “Zelensky says he’ll ask parliament to draft legislation that could allow elections during martial law. But again, the unresolved challenges are substantial.” — Mike Baker (11:10)

• Geopolitical Frustration:

  “The reality is any push by the White House to hold elections in Ukraine prior to a peace deal does in fact work in Putin’s favor, or at least is in line with his long standing demand that Zelensky be removed.” — Mike Baker (13:10)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Russia’s Near-Attack on U.S.-Bound Planes & Sabotage Network:
  00:34 – 08:20
• Zelensky’s Election Announcement & Ukraine’s Wartime Democracy Dilemma:
  08:20 – 14:06

Tone & Delivery

Mike Baker combines urgency with a blunt, wry tone, calling out the Kremlin’s tactics and the complex cynicism at play among both Eastern and Western leaders. He roots his analysis in intelligence and polling, conveying gravity about security threats while inviting listeners to consider the messy realities of democracy and war.

For further analysis or direct questions, contact Mike at pdb@thefirsttv.com.