The President's Daily Brief - PDB Afternoon Bulletin | November 14th, 2025: Kyiv Torches Critical Russian Oil Hub & Trump’s 'Southern Spear' Tightens the Noose Around Maduro

Episode Date: November 19, 2025

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:  First—Ukraine is once again hitting Moscow where it hurts most—its oil revenue. A precision drone and missile strike on Friday crippled the second-largest oil export hub in Russia, forcing closures at a facility that moves millions of barrels of crude a day.  Later in the show—The Pentagon unveils Operation Southern Spear, a task force aimed at dismantling narco-terrorist networks across the Western Hemisphere. The announcement comes as President Trump receives an updated menu of military options against Venezuela. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold TriTails Premium Beef: Feed your legacy. Visit https://trybeef.com/pdb  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to diversify and protect your hard-earned assets, well, schedule a free consultation with the Birch Gold Group. They're the precious metals specialists. Just text PDB to the number 989-89-89, 898, and you'll receive a free, no-obligation information kit, and you'll learn how to convert an existing IRA or a 401k into a gold IRA. Again, text PDB to 989-898. It's Friday, the 14th of November. Well, look at that. We've made it through to the end of another week. Welcome to the PDB afternoon Bulletin. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up, Kiev just hit one of Russia's most important Black Sea oil terminals with a significant drone attack, disrupting one of the biggest energy lifelines currently fueling the Kremlin's war machine.

Later in the show, the Pentagon unveils Operation Southern Spear, because is it really an operation if it doesn't have a cool name? Well, now you got one. Southern Spear is a new, or at least sort of new task force aimed at dismantling narco-terrorist networks across the Western Hemisphere. The announcement comes as President Trump receives an updated menu of military options against Venezuela. I'll have those details. But first, today's afternoon spotlight. Kiev just unleashed one of their most consequential attacks on Russian oil infrastructure this year, part of their intensifying campaign to starve the Kremlin of their most vital source of wartime revenue. Ukrainian drones and missiles struck the strategic black seaport of Novorazizk,

early Friday morning, crippling Russia's second largest oil export hub, one that moves a massive share of Russian crude to global markets. The operation hit multiple sites across the port complex, damaging fuel loading facilities, and at least one vessel docked at the oil terminal, according to a report from Reuters. While we've been tracking escalating Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy sites for weeks, it's hard to overstate the impact of Friday's strikes. Novozizk isn't just another port. It's one of Moscow's primary gateways for moving crude to India and China and parts of southeastern Europe. And today's operation sent an immediate shockwave through that system. The attack sparked fires, triggered evacuations, caused Russia's state

pipeline operator Transneft to temporarily halt crude flows through the facility and forced Moscow to halt-seaborne oil exports. Energy analysts told Reuters that roughly 2.2 million barrels per day of capacity was disrupted. It's a volume that represents close to 2% of global supply. It was enough to spike global oil prices by more than 2% on Friday over fears of a supply shortage. Officials with the Ukrainian general staff said significant damage was caused to, quote, valuable infrastructure at the port and oil terminal, and that a launcher from Russia's S-400 air defense system was also destroyed in the attack. The officials added that the operation, which employed both attack drones and domestically produced long-range Neptune cruise missiles,

was, quote, part of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor. In addition to the Black Sea port, the Ukrainian officials said they also hid an oil refinery in Russia's seratol region and a fuel storage facility near Engels. While Russian officials acknowledged the strike on the Novorazsk court, they were quick to downplay the extent of the damage. But analysts said the attack will have profound ripple effects on Moscow's wartime economy. As we discussed earlier on the PDB, the latest attack comes in the wake of U.S. sanctions, targeting Rosneft and Luke oil, which have already left nearly a third of Moscow's seaborne oil tankers sitting offshore with nowhere to go. Today's hit on Novorazizk compounds at backlog,

adding another choke point to an already strained export network. It's also worth noting that the Novorazizh region has been under growing strain for weeks. Storms in the Black Sea and earlier Ukrainian strikes already forced Russia to reroute tankers and pause shipments. Today's strike, analysts say, could finally push the system to a breaking point, compounding the effects of U.S. sanctions that have left foreign buyers wary of touching Russian crude. Russia responded the way that it usually does by firing back at Ukrainian cities. Air defenses across Keev activated on Friday amid a massive Russian drone and missile barrage, which the capital's mayor described as one of the largest aerial attacks of the war. The onslaught involved roughly

430 Iranian-made Shahed drones and 18 ballistic and cruise missiles, which hit both the capital city and energy facilities in southern Ukraine. But unlike Keeves' attack, It's worth noting that the Russians did not limit their targets to strategic energy sites. Russia's bombardment of Kiev indiscriminately targeted apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure, killing at least six people and injuring at least 34. The attack also damaged the Azerbaijani embassy in Kiev. In a statement, President Zelensky denounce the attack and said, quote, only pressure with sanctions and strength can force Russia to end this war,

a war that no one but them ever needed, end quote. He thanked Western allies for helping strengthen Ukraine's air defenses in recent months, but said it's not enough. Zelensky reiterated his request for additional systems and interceptor missiles, saying, quote, Europe and the U.S. can help. We are counting on real decisions, end quote. Despite the blowback on Kiev, it appears Ukraine's strategy against Moscow's energy interests is working. Russia's refinery output is down, export delays are mounting, and today, a vital Russian oil port was temporarily knocked offline. All right.

Coming up next, President Trump evaluates updated strike options inside Venezuela, as the Pentagon announces a new mission in the Caribbean dubbed Operation Southern Spear. I wrote a little song to remind you, choice hotels, get you more of the experiences you value. The Canberia hotels got it all. A rooftop ball, have a ball. Cocktails up here feel just right Is Cambria your homebe? Bring a date, your team, or even your mom

Book Direct at choiceotails.com. See you on the roof. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Well, it's that time of year. That's right. It's the one time of year that Birch Gold Group gives away free gold with every qualifying purchase.

For Black Friday, when you convert an existing IRA or 401K into a one. a tax-sheltered IRA and gold, Birch gold will send free gold to your home for every $20,000 purchased. Look, gold started this year around $2,600 an ounce. By October, it was over $4,000 an ounce. And you ask yourself why? Well, mostly because of global uncertainty.

2025 has been defined by trade wars and real wars and general unease, and central banks are pulling away from the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency. So the truth is, gold thrives in times of uncertainty like these. So if you're looking to diversify your savings, birch gold can help. Plus, now through November 30th, get free gold with a qualifying purchase. Just text PDB to 989-898 to claim your eligibility and for a free information kit on gold. And your opportunity for free gold with purchases ends on November 30th, so don't wait. Text PDB to the number 989-898 for all the details. Welcome back to the afternoon bulletin.

The Trump administration appears to be moving the U.S. closer to a potential confrontation with Venezuela, as new reporting reveals updated strike options, expanding operations in the Caribbean, and an increasingly muscular mission now branded with the name Operation Southern Spear. Secretary of War Pete Hegset unveiled the name of the operation on Thursday, formally stating that the U.S. Southern Command will lead a mission to, quote, remove narco-terrorist networks in the Western Hemisphere. Senior officials described the mission as both a counter-narcotics campaign and a show of force aimed directly at Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro and his cartel of the Sons. That's the regime-linked drug network that Washington considers a national security threat. What's not clear, however, is whether the Operation Southern Spear label pertains to ongoing

U.S. operations near Venezuela targeting narco smugglers, which to date of killed at least 80 people, or whether it signals the start of a new expanded mission. That's according to a report from Axios. But deliberations are intensifying in the halls of the White House. Behind the scenes, CBS News reports that President Trump was briefed this week on new military options for Venezuela. Those options include air strikes on cartel-linked military sites, covert operations against regime assets,

and most notably, limited ground raids, targeting trafficking infrastructure near Venezuela's northern coast. The sources emphasize, however, that Trump has not yet made a decision on how to proceed. I'm guessing that those same sources did not emphasize that they probably aren't supposed to be talking about possible covert activity. As we've been tracking on the PDB, the Pentagon has positioned carrier groups and bombers and drones and Marines and reconnaissance aircraft and special operators throughout the Caribbean. The unprecedented buildup has boosted the number of troops in Latin America to some 15,000,

leaving, of course, all options on the table. While announcing Operation Southern Spear, Heggsets declared that the Western Hemisphere is, quote, America's neighborhood, and that the U.S. intends to act like it. It's an unmistakable message to both Caracas and its foreign backers in Moscow and Beijing and Tehran. Adding to the tension, intelligence assessments shared with the White House confirm Maduro has been reaching out to Russia and Iran for military assistance, fearing an imminent U.S. strike. Russian lawmakers and state media have openly warned that the U.S., quote, may be in for surprises. And as we covered last week, Moscow claims to have begun delivering air defense systems to Venezuela,

with hypersonic missiles still a possibility. U.S. officials are not commenting publicly on those claims, but it appears Maduro is hoping that foreign support will be enough to deter Washington's next move. Inside the administration, advisors are said to be split. Some argue that a targeted strike campaign, similar to the early phases of U.S. operations in Syria and Libya, could decapitate cartel infrastructure, weaken Maduro, and force a negotiated transition of power. Others warn that even limited action risks pulling the U.S. into a deeper regional conflict, especially if Russian or Iranian personnel are present at Venezuelan sites.

There are also concerns about intelligence gaps. The Cartel of the Sons is deeply embedded in Venezuela's security forces, and officials acknowledge that strikes on the wrong facility could kill civilians, triggering the kind of international backlash that the administration is eager to avoid. For now, it appears Operation Southern Spear will remain focused on maritime interdictions and aerial patrols, but the updated military options on the president's desk now suggest that Washington is at least considering expanding their operations. And that, my friends, is the PDB afternoon bulletin for Friday the 14th of November.

Now, if you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at PDB at thefirsttv.com. And I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't mention that the latest episode of our weekend's show, the PDB Situation Report, will be hitting the airwaves this evening at 10 p.m. On the first TV. You can also catch you it and past episodes on our rather amazing YouTube channel. Check that out on YouTube, of course, at President's Daily Brief, as well as on your favorite podcast platforms. I'm Mike Baker, and I'll be back. over the weekend with the PDB Situation Report. Until then, stay informed. Stay safe. Stay cool. Hey, Mike Baker here. Well, you may have noticed, right? It's now November, and that means

getting ready for Thanksgiving. Look, Thanksgiving, the great thing about it is it's one of the few times of the year when we can all slow down just a bit, gather as families, and remind ourselves of what we're thankful for. And remember, please, no talk about politics or religion around the table. It's all about gratitude. not just for the past, but for the future. And the excellent team over at Tri-Tales Premium Beef, well, they understand that perfectly. You have to check these folks out.

There are fifth generation ranching family in Texas, raising cattle the right way, and shipping the beef straight to your door. And in time for the holidays, their thankful box was built just for this time of year. Delicious beef to feed your family and create the kinds of comforting meals that build a legacy.

And let's be honest, nobody is going to be upset if there's a little less turkey on the Thanksgiving table and a little more beef, maybe a lot more beef. Find it now at tribeef.com slash PDB. Again, that's tribeef.com slash PDB. Ryan Reynolds here for MintMobil. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same premium wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities, so do like I did and have one of your assistants assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to do at mintmobile.com slash switch.

Up front payment of $45 for three-month plan, equivalent to $15 per month required. Intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available. Taxes and fees extra. See full terms at mintmobile.com.