The President's Daily Brief – Afternoon Bulletin

Date: December 12th, 2025
Host: Mike Baker (Former CIA Operations Officer)
Episode Focus:

• Ukraine’s Largest Drone Attack Reaches Deep into Russia’s Energy Heartland
• U.S. Seizure of Iranian “Shadow Fleet” Tanker and Fresh Moves Against Illicit Oil Trade

Episode Overview

This episode centers on two urgent national security and geopolitical events:

1. A record-setting Ukrainian drone attack targeting deep Russian energy infrastructure, signaling both technological advancements and renewed Ukrainian resistance amid diplomatic pressures.
2. The U.S. seizure of a sanctions-evading Iranian tanker off Venezuela, followed by indications of further enforcement against the illicit oil trade underpinning regimes in Venezuela, Iran, and connected terrorist organizations.

Hosted in Baker’s signature brisk, analytical style, the Afternoon Bulletin breaks down these complex issues with geopolitical insight and quick, memorable takeaways.

1. Ukraine’s Largest Drone Strike: Strategic Shockwaves

Segment starts: 00:33

Key Discussion Points

• Escalation in Ukraine’s Drone Campaign:

  • Hundreds of drones launched in a coordinated assault across Russian territory, from Moscow southward to the Caspian Sea.
  • Russian air defenses intercepted dozens, including at least 15 heading for Moscow. Air traffic and defenses were disrupted across multiple regions.

• Historic Strike on the Caspian Sea:

  • Ukrainian drones struck a Lukoil offshore platform nearly 1,000 miles from front lines—“an extraordinary escalation” in Kyiv’s targeting of Russian energy.
  • The attack forced the shutdown of over 20 oil wells and halted production on one of Russia’s key offshore assets.

• Significance and Strategic Evolution:

  • Most prior Ukrainian strikes focused on Western Russia, the Black Sea, or transit routes to Europe; Caspian Sea marks a new, deeper reach.
  • “Hitting it required long range drones, precise navigation and careful planning, underscoring how far Ukraine's drone program has evolved since the early days of Putin's invasion.” (Mike Baker, 03:24)

• Why Oil Infrastructure?

  • Every disrupted barrel “is revenue that Moscow can't use to fund its military, pay contractors, or cushion the impact of Western sanctions.” (04:12)
  • Ukraine signals that “no part of [Russia’s energy system] should be considered untouchable.”

• Political Context:

  • Attack comes as “pressure mounts on Kyiv to make concessions,” with some in the West arguing Ukraine’s leverage is fading.
  • “This drone barrage delivers a blunt rebuttal. Ukraine is still capable of imposing real costs. It can still surprise Russia, and it can still force Moscow to defend territory it once considered secure.” (Mike Baker, 05:03)

• Strategic Costs for Russia:

  • Defenses and resources are stretched to protect distant infrastructure; “resources not being used on the battlefield in Ukraine itself.” (06:00)

Notable Quote

• “Claims that Ukraine is running out of options don't seem to square with reality on the ground or in the air.”
  — Mike Baker, 06:26

2. U.S. Seizure of the ‘Skipper’ Tanker & Oil Sanctions Crackdown

Segment starts: 08:33

Key Discussion Points

• Background on the Seized Tanker:

  • U.S. forces seized the Skipper, a vessel from Iran’s “shadow fleet,” off Venezuela’s coast—part of efforts to choke off sanctioned oil exports supporting regimes like Maduro’s and groups such as Hezbollah and the IRGC Quds Force.

• Sanctions Evasion Exposed:

  • “According to new satellite analysis reviewed by ABC News, the Skipper wasn’t just quietly shuttling illicit crude... the ship was allegedly manipulating its own transponder position data, broadcasting false locations as it approached Venezuelan waters.” (Mike Baker, 09:27)
  • This spoofing tactic has become standard for shadow fleet ships smuggling sanctioned oil.

• Triggering the Seizure:

  • Satellite imagery contradicted the ship’s reported coordinates—authorities saw it loading crude in Venezuela while broadcasting positions elsewhere.
  • This discrepancy was “a red flag that helped trigger the operation.” (10:31)

• Significance of the Operation:

  • One of the “most aggressive maritime enforcement actions” by Washington in years, signaling a shift from just financial sanctions to direct interdiction.

• Potential for Further Action:

  • Reports indicate the Trump administration is tracking more ships for potential seizure, escalating from penalties to “more frequent physical actions at sea.” (11:25)
  • Strategy includes assembling a “target list” and preparing further interdictions under the same legal authority as the Skipper seizure.

• Wider Sanctions Blitz:

  • U.S. Treasury issued new sanctions on individuals and companies linked to Venezuelan oil smuggling, including “three nephews of Nicolás Maduro... and six companies shipping Venezuelan oil.” (12:07)

• Impact on Maduro Regime:

  • These measures are “a new coordinated multi front strategy” to choke off Venezuela’s capacity to export oil and dismantle its logistical support networks.
  • “The implications, of course, could be dire for the Maduro regime as shipments of crude remain one of Venezuela's few remaining sources of hard currency.” (13:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The Skipper case obviously challenges [the assumption that the US would hesitate to seize foreign vessels], and it might not be a one-off event.”
  — Mike Baker, 11:17

• “Maduro, his family, and his cronies have a choice: stop the drug trafficking, stop the corruption, stop the dictatorship and leave the country—or pay the price.”
  — White House Official to Axios, quoted by Mike Baker, 13:36

3. Episode Wrap-Up

Key Points:

• The episode underscores heightened risks and rapid evolution in both the Ukrainian war effort and U.S. sanctions enforcement.
• Listeners are invited to send questions or comments to pdb@thefirsttv.com and informed about upcoming programming.

Segment Timestamps

• Ukraine Drone Offensive: 00:33–08:10
• Illicit Oil Seizure & Sanctions: 08:33–13:50

Tone & Language

Mike Baker’s delivery is direct, analytical, and peppered with concise, memorable takes. He frames complex strategy clearly for the listener, keeping a focus on the broader implications and the mechanics of unfolding geopolitical events.

Summary Takeaway

Ukraine’s unprecedented long-range drone attack is both a demonstration of resilience and strategic adaptability, directly contesting narratives of Ukrainian exhaustion. In parallel, the U.S. is escalating maritime enforcement in the shadowy world of illicit oil trade, representing a shift toward more kinetic, multi-dimensional pressure on regimes defying international sanctions. Both events signal critical escalations and evolving tactics in two key geopolitical flashpoints of 2025.