ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 4, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 4, 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

• ZeroFox Intelligence Flash Report - Political Asylum Service To Assist Russians Fleeing to France
• Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Leave ECOWAS with Terrorism and Russian Influence Likely to Spread
• Indian Navy Warship Assists British Oil Tanker Struck by Houthi-Launched Missile

ZeroFox Intelligence Flash Report - Political Asylum Service To Assist Russians Fleeing to France

Since its announcement on December 22, 2023, a “political asylum” service claiming to assist Russians with fleeing to France has been gaining traction on the Russian-language deep web community WWH-Club. The post claims to help Russian citizens against whom a criminal case has been opened as, according to the actor, 99.7 percent of these cases end with imprisonment. The actor claims that the only way to avoid this is to receive asylum by moving abroad. The service is most likely targeting those seeking a legal means to avoid forced conscription into the Russian army (also known as mobilization) as the Russia-Ukraine war continues. ZeroFox can neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of the service or the claims made by the actor. At the time of writing, no successful deals have been recorded. While there are positive indicators the service may be credible, it remains plausible the actor is attempting to scam or unmask citizens in Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan that are attempting to dodge mobilization drafts.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Leave ECOWAS with Terrorism and Russian Influence Likely to Spread

The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger jointly announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The three founding members accused ECOWAS of instituting inhumane sanctions and being under the influence of foreigners aimed at reversing recent coups. ECOWAS has imposed economic and movement restrictions on all three states after coups occurred in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina in 2021 and 2022, and Niger in 2023. The economic sanctions have hardened the resolve of the coup leaders, who have grown closer to Russia since. Last week, Russia signed an agreement with Burkina Faso to send mercenaries to protect the president, and Russian troops on the ground in Mali are designed to replace departing western forces.

Indian Navy Warship Assists British Oil Tanker Struck by Houthi-Launched Missile

On the night of January 26, an Indian warship assisted a merchant ship in distress attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels that resulted in a fire. The Indian naval team along with the crew onboard the targeted vessel were able to control the fire after six hours of efforts. The attacked ship, managed by a British firm, was carrying Russian naphtha for Singapore. Officials say that the British oil tanker had been struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden after transiting the Red Sea.