ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 23, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 23, 2024

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

• Slovak Prime Minister Alleges Ukraine is Not a Sovereign Country, Vows to Veto NATO Membership
• Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia Announce New Security Network to Combat Narco Crime
• Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Export Terminal Near St. Petersburg

Slovak Prime Minister Alleges Ukraine is Not a Sovereign Country, Vows to Veto NATO Membership

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico alleged Ukraine is not a sovereign country, but under the complete control of the United States. This statement seemingly embraces a long-purported Russian conspiracy theory that Ukraine is a U.S. puppet state. Fico added that he would veto any future proposal for Ukraine to join NATO. These statements underscore Fico's pro-Russia policies and indicate Slovakia may disrupt future European Union or NATO support for Ukraine. This comes as Hungary also threatens EU and NATO unity over Ukraine.

Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia Announce New Security Network to Combat Narco Crime

Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia announced the creation of the "Andean security network" against organized crime. The network was created quickly after Ecuador announced a nationwide state of emergency for rampant drug-related crime on January 8. The network's aim is to coordinate cross-border security initiatives to combat drug trafficking crossing borders. Peru and Colombia have historically produced the cocaine driving most of the violence, while Ecuador remains a transit country. However, since the pandemic, powerful drug gangs have established control over prisons and parts of major cities, turning a historically safe country into one of the most violent in the region. Both Peru and Colombia have closed their borders with Ecuador, fearful the security crackdown will prompt an influx of gang members into their countries. Expect Ecuador's state of emergency to be extended beyond the early March date. Ecuador's crackdown on gang leaders, including labeling them terrorists, will likely see continued retaliatory violence from drug traffickers, including against those investigating their crimes and leading the security crackdown.

Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Export Terminal Near St. Petersburg

Ukrainian drones struck a Novatek fuel terminal at the Ust Luga port in Leningrad Oblast, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of St. Petersburg. Ust Luga is Russia's second-largest export terminal and handles about 680,000 barrels of oil per day. The strike sparked a fire that damaged two storage tanks and a pumping station, prompting Novatek to halt all operations for 24 hours. Oil tankers resumed loading at Ust Luga at mid-day on Janaury 22; however, the Moscow-based BCS brokerage said it may take weeks or months for Novatek to repair its facilities and return to full capacity. Such significant damage to a key driver of Russian oil revenue marks a considerable victory for Ukraine. This strike also comes just days after Ukraine's first drone attack on St. Petersburg. Further strikes near St. Petersburg can be expected over the next several weeks. Russian air defenses in the area are aimed primarily north and northeast to defend against a potential NATO attack and are vulnerable to attacks from the south. Successful strikes near St. Petersburg represent high-profile victories for Ukraine, meaning it is likely to capitalize on attacks in the region before Russia can reposition its air defenses.