The President's Daily Brief – Afternoon Bulletin: December 3rd, 2025

Host: Mike Baker (Former CIA Operations Officer)
Theme: Nuclear Missile Disaster in Russia & Confusion Over Ukraine Peace Talks
Podcast: The President's Daily Brief (The First TV)
Air Date: December 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this concise yet incisive Afternoon Bulletin, host Mike Baker delivers critical updates on two major geopolitical developments: a catastrophic test failure of Russia’s most advanced nuclear weapon, the RS28 Sarmat (“Satan II”) missile, and the murky progress surrounding ongoing U.S.-Russia peace talks regarding Ukraine. The episode spotlights the strategic and symbolic implications of Russia’s missile misfire and questions the meaning behind recent diplomatic messaging from Moscow and Washington.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catastrophic Failure of Russia’s “Satan II” Nuclear Missile

Starts at 00:36

• The Incident:

  • Russian forces attempted to launch the RS28 Sarmat missile from a test site in Orenburg. The missile veered off course just seconds after ignition, crashed, and detonated in a fireball, emitting a conspicuous purple plume.

    “How does one say failure to launch in Russian? Oh, well, let me tell you why I ask. Russia's so-called Satan 2 missile… blows up seconds after ignition.” – Mike Baker (00:37)

  • The failure produced a visible spectacle, with witnesses reporting a purple plume typical of ruptured hypergolic liquid-fueled missiles.

• Strategic Consequences:

  • The Sarmat was touted as the “crown jewel” of Russia’s next-generation nuclear arsenal, boasting the capability to carry multiple nuclear warheads and hypersonic vehicles.
  • Instead, the missile’s development has been marred by persistent test failures, infrastructure problems, and reliability concerns, undermining its deterrent value.

    “For a weapon Putin insists will hold the United States at risk anywhere on Earth, it seems to be struggling to travel more than a few hundred feet.” – Mike Baker (01:45)

• Pattern of Failures:

  • Other so-called Russian “wonder weapons” have faltered:
    • Burevestnik (Skyfall): The nuclear-powered cruise missile has had repeated failures, including a deadly 2019 explosion.
    • Poseidon Nuclear Drone: Designed to unleash a radioactive tidal wave, it faces major delays and currently remains a non-operational “concept weapon.”
  • Sanctions, worker shortages, and aging Soviet infrastructure exacerbate these problems.

    “Old Soviet era infrastructure can only carry you so far. To state the obvious, eventually you have to build new things that actually work. And right now, for the Kremlin, that's proving harder than the propaganda lets on.” – Mike Baker (06:14)

• Notable Quotes & Tone:

  • Mike Baker uses biting humor and skepticism:

    “Maybe what Putin should do is just go back to the basics. Let's put some laser beams on the heads of sharks.” – Mike Baker (05:40) “And the mighty Satan 2… keeps prematurely exploding. There's got to be medication for that.” – Mike Baker (07:05)

2. Confusion and Spin Over U.S.-Russia Ukraine Peace Talks

Resumes at 09:21

• Recent Developments:

  • After a five-hour meeting at the Kremlin, Russian officials, including Putin’s adviser Yuri Ushakov, projected optimism—claiming Putin accepted parts of U.S. proposals and is willing to continue negotiation.
  • Spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the talks as the first real “back and forth,” notably thanking President Trump for his efforts—a rare diplomatic gesture.

• Contradictions & Skepticism:

  • Baker warns of Kremlin spin, suggesting Moscow’s upbeat message might be an attempt at delay and obfuscation, not genuine progress.

    “As you’re aware, the original US 28-point peace plan that leaked last month rattled Ukraine and European capitals…” – Mike Baker (11:21)

  • Washington’s take remains cautious; Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “there's some progress, but we’re not there yet.” (11:52)
  • Moscow’s “red lines” (Ukrainian territorial concessions, military limitations, abandonment of NATO ambitions) remain immovable—terms Kyiv flatly rejects.

• Diplomatic Backstory:

  • The US updated its 28-point peace plan to a 19-point framework, but details are still secret. Putin claims talks are broken into four negotiation components.
  • President Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to work with U.S. mediators but made no concessions.

• Host’s Analysis:

  • Baker notes that unless Russia backs down from its maximalist demands, the talks may remain fruitless.

    “Unless Putin backs away from his maximalist demands, it doesn't matter what the U.S. and Ukraine chat about around the negotiating table.” – Mike Baker (12:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If nuclear deterrence depends on reliability, well, then SARMAT is not deterring anyone. As a matter of fact, it's doing the opposite. It's advertising how fragile Russia's nuclear program appears to be.” – Mike Baker (04:45)
• “The Burevestnik sputters, Poseidon stalls. And the mighty Satan 2… keeps prematurely exploding. There’s got to be medication for that.” – Mike Baker (07:05)
• On Russia’s negotiation strategy:
  “He’s ready to keep meeting Trump’s team, quote, as many times as it takes. Well, or until he wins the war, whichever comes first.” – Mike Baker (09:50)
• “From Moscow's side, spokesman Dmitry Peskov tried to tamp down what he called the media, ‘noise swirling around the talks…’ Instead… it was the first real back and forth, the first time both sides laid out what they could accept and what they couldn't…” – Mike Baker (10:38)
• “That's nice, but in case you haven't heard me beat this dead horse before, unless Putin backs away from his maximalist demands, it doesn't matter what the U.S. and Ukraine chat about around the negotiating table.” – Mike Baker (12:49)

Key Segment Timestamps

• 00:36 – Putin’s “Satan II” missile disaster overview
• 01:30 - 06:20 – Analysis of Russian nuclear weapons program troubles
• 09:21 – Update on U.S.-Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations
• 10:38 - 12:49 – Host’s skepticism and summary of diplomatic state

Summary Takeaways

• Russia’s technological setbacks cast doubt on both its nuclear modernization efforts and its military propaganda, highlighting real vulnerabilities in the supposed “next generation” arsenal.
• Peace talks on Ukraine, while outwardly positive in Russian statements, remain mired on core issues. U.S. and Ukrainian officials remain circumspect, indicating few real breakthroughs despite the Kremlin’s diplomatic showmanship.
• Mike Baker’s tone is skeptical, forthright, and laced with dark humor, questioning Russian competence and diplomatic motives throughout.

For questions or comments, listeners are invited to reach out to Mike Baker directly at pdb@thefirsttv.com.