ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 30, 2023

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 30, 2023

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Russia and India Hold Talks on Joint Weapons Production
• China Threatens More Trade Sanctions on Taiwan as Election Approaches
• Russian Mine Damages Civilian Cargo Ship En Route to Ukraine

Russia and India Hold Talks on Joint Weapons Production

On December 27, 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Russia and India made progress in talks to jointly produce military equipment. Lavrov's comments came during a press conference amid his five-day visit to India. Russia and India have significantly increased economic cooperation since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022; India now buys about 40 percent of Russian oil exports. Joint military production between the two countries would represent even further warming of relations. Such military cooperation may cause concerns for the United States, which is currently trying to deepen its own relationship with India.

China Threatens More Trade Sanctions on Taiwan as Election Approaches

On December 27, 2023, the Chinese government threatened to place further trade sanctions on Taiwan if the ruling Democratic Progress Party (DPP) won key elections on January 13, 2024. The Chinese government considers the DPP and its presidential candidate, current Vice President Lai Ching-te (who is leading in the polls), separatists. Earlier in December, China pressured Taiwan with a trade barrier investigation, alleging that Taiwan put up trade barriers in contravention of both World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and a trade deal that China signed in 2010 with Taiwan. China in October already extended its trade barrier investigation to January 12, 2024, the eve of Taiwan’s elections, which was accused of election interference by Taiwan. The Chinese government may continue to escalate trade sanctions to influence Taiwan’s election to support its more favorable candidate from the opposition, Kuomintang (KMT) Hou Yu-ih.

Russian Mine Damages Civilian Cargo Ship En Route to Ukraine

On December 28, 2023, a civilian cargo ship hit a Russian mine in the Black Sea en route to load grain at the Ukrainian Danube port of Izmail. As a result of the explosion, the crew lost control of the vessel and a fire broke out on the upper deck. The captain intentionally ran the ship aground to prevent it from sinking; Ukrainian tug boats then towed the ship to the port of Izmail. Media reports identified the vessel as the Vyssos, a Greek-owned, Panama-flagged cargo ship. After Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2023, Ukraine created temporary shipping corridors in the Black Sea to export Ukrainian goods. Under these corridors, Ukrainian ships escort civilian carriers on their journeys through the Black Sea. Ukrainian officials have always warned the corridor faces threats from the Russian military and drifting mines. The Vyssos marks the third civilian cargo ship damaged while traveling through Ukraine's temporary corridors since they were created in August.