The President's Daily Brief December 12th, 2025: Russia’s Shadow Fleet Hit Again & NATO Sounds The Alarm
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Dec 12, 2025 Ukraine intensifies its campaign against Russia's shadow fleet, launching naval drone strikes that hit tankers and disrupt oil revenues. A secretive 15-hour maritime rescue successfully extracted Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado just in time for her Nobel Peace Prize. NATO's chief warns of looming threats from Russia within five years, urging defense readiness. Meanwhile, U.S. bombers and Japanese jets showcase military strength over the Sea of Japan in response to joint drills by China and Russia.
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Economic Warfare Through Sea Drone Strikes
- Ukraine is targeting Russia's shadow fleet to choke Moscow's wartime oil revenues.
- Strikes raised Black Sea insurance rates and forced deeper discounts, cutting Kremlin profits.
Costs, Not Volumes, Hurt Russia's Energy Income
- Rising logistics and insurance costs are slashing Russia's oil profit margins despite similar export volumes.
- Goldman Sachs analysis shows energy profits fell meaningfully, tightening funds for Moscow's military.
Clandestine 15-Hour Sea Extraction
- A private U.S. team led by Brian Stern ran a 15-hour sea extraction to move María Corina Machado out of Venezuela.
- Stern said the mission was privately funded and involved risky nighttime sea legs with high waves and low visibility.