PDB Afternoon Bulletin | January 3rd, 2024: Las Vegas Green Beret Bomber Revealed & Elite Ukrainian Troops Go AWOL

Host: Mike Baker | Release Date: January 3, 2025

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief hosted by former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker, two major stories take center stage: the identification of the perpetrator behind the recent Cybertruck bombing in Las Vegas and alarming reports of mass desertion within an elite Ukrainian military brigade. Baker provides a comprehensive analysis of both events, offering insights into their implications for national security and international relations.

1. Las Vegas Cybertruck Bombing: The Tragic Tale of Matthew Allen Leibelsberger

[00:12]
Mike Baker opens the bulletin by addressing the Cybertruck bombing that occurred outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day. The attacker has been identified as Matthew Allen Leibelsberger, a 37-year-old active-duty US Army Green Beret from Colorado.

Military Background and Service Record
Leibelsberger is portrayed as a highly decorated soldier with a commendable service history. Baker notes, “He had served in the army since 2006 and amassed an impressive service record,” highlighting his five Bronze Stars (one with a valor device), a Combat Infantry Badge, and an Army Commendation Medal with Valor. His deployments included two tours in Afghanistan and service in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and the Congo, underscoring his extensive experience.

[01:15]
Authorities determined Leibelsberger's identity through forensic evidence, including tattoos, credit cards, military ID, and passport found at the scene. Tragically, he was discovered dead inside the Cybertruck from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound using a Desert Eagle .50 caliber pistol.

Personal Struggles and Possible Motives
Baker delves into Leibelsberger's personal life, revealing significant turmoil that may have contributed to the incident. “[Leibelsberger’s] wife... broke up with him just a week before the incident,” Baker explains at [02:00], citing allegations of infidelity as a triggering factor. The separation led him to leave their Colorado Springs home shortly after Christmas, and he had not been in contact with his wife in the days leading up to the bombing.

Connection to Previous Terror Attack
A concerning parallel is drawn between Leibelsberger’s method of renting the Cybertruck via the Turo app and the perpetrator of a prior terror attack in New Orleans on the same day. This similarity raises questions about potential networks or shared motives, although early investigations lean towards suicide over coordinated terrorism.

[02:55]
Baker emphasizes the tragic nature of the event, stating, “Emerging evidence points more strongly to essentially a tragic end for a soldier who served his country for almost two decades.” This perspective highlights the complexity of distinguishing between acts of terrorism and personal despair, especially involving military personnel.

Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The explosion caused substantial damage to the hotel's facade and injured three individuals, but there were no other fatalities. Authorities remain vigilant, continuing to explore all possible motives while considering Leibelsberger's personal struggles as a significant factor.

2. Elite Ukrainian Brigade Faces Mass Desertion Amidst Conflict

[04:45]
Shifting focus to international affairs, Baker reports on unsettling developments within Ukraine’s military structure. Specifically, he discusses the mass desertion of soldiers from the Anne of Kyiv Brigade, an elite infantry unit trained and equipped by Western allies, including France.

Formation and Purpose of the Brigade
The Anne of Kyiv Brigade, named after an 11th-century Kiev princess, was envisioned as a model of Western military support. Comprising approximately 5,800 soldiers, the brigade underwent nine months of intensive training in Western Ukraine, Poland, and France. French President Emmanuel Macron had previously met with the unit during a visit to a French military base, signaling high-level international investment in their capabilities.

[05:10]
Despite the promising start, the brigade has encountered severe internal issues. Reports indicate that around 1,700 soldiers—nearly a third of the unit—have deserted without engaging in combat. Baker references a Ukrainian journalist’s revelations that many soldiers were forcibly recruited or went AWOL during training in France, with about 500 troops still unaccounted for as of November.

Challenges Faced by the Brigade
The brigade's deployment to Pokrovsk, a strategic logistics hub in the Donetsk region, was met with heavy losses, including the destruction of tanks and armored vehicles. Baker attributes the high desertion rate to "incompetent and corrupt command," undermining the unit’s effectiveness and morale.

[07:20]
“The desertion reports highlight the challenges Ukraine faces in maintaining morale and cohesion within its military, even as Western support does continue to flow,” Baker observes. This situation raises critical questions about the sustainability of forming new brigades versus reinforcing and rotating existing units to better manage the ongoing conflict.

Strategic Implications
Critics argue that President Zelensky’s strategy of continuously forming new elite units like the Anne of Kyiv Brigade may not be the most effective approach in a prolonged conflict. The high desertion rates suggest deeper issues within military structure and leadership that could impede Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities against Russian forces.

Conclusion

In this episode, Mike Baker effectively highlights two significant and emotionally charged issues: the tragic case of Matthew Allen Leibelsberger, a decorated Green Beret whose personal struggles may have led to the Las Vegas Cybertruck bombing, and the troubling mass desertion within Ukraine's Anne of Kyiv Brigade, which underscores the complexities and challenges faced by Ukrainian military forces amidst ongoing conflict. Both stories illuminate the profound human and strategic challenges impacting national and international security landscapes.

Upcoming: Baker teases the upcoming PDB Situation Report, featuring experts like China specialist Gordon Chang and retired FBI agent Kurt Peipel, who will analyze the recent terror attacks and delve into Xi Jinping’s New Year's address, covering topics from the Chinese economy to Taiwan’s status.

Stay informed, stay safe, and stay cool.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:55] Mike Baker: “Emerging evidence points more strongly to essentially a tragic end for a soldier who served his country for almost two decades.”

• [07:20] Mike Baker: “These desertion reports highlight the challenges Ukraine faces in maintaining morale and cohesion within its military, even as Western support does continue to flow.”