ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 20, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 20, 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

• Russia Takes Control of Avdiivka
• Crew Abandons Cargo Ship After Strike by Houthi Missile
• Denmark to Donate "Entire Artillery" Stockpile to Ukraine

Russia Takes Control of Avdiivka

Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the Avdiivka, leaving Russian forces in complete control of the city. Though the fall of Avdiivka marks Russia's first battlefield win in nearly a year, the victory is unlikely to prove operationally significant. The city does not provide Russia with favorable ground, and Russian forces are unlikely to be able to advance past Avdiivka. Ukrainian forces maintain prepared defenses west of Avdiivka that will likely prevent further Russian advances. The fall of Avdiivka does, however, highlight how Ukraine's ammunition shortage due to delayed Western support is negatively impacting the battlefield. Both Ukrainian and U.S. officials stated the lack of U.S. military assistance directly contributed to Ukraine's withdrawal as Ukrainian troops were unable to defend their positions.

Crew Abandons Cargo Ship After Strike by Houthi Missile

On February 19, the crew of the Belize-flagged Rubymar cargo ship abandoned the vessel near the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea as it began taking on water after a Houthi missile strike. No crewmembers were injured, but a Houthi spokesperson claimed the Rubymar was in danger of sinking. It is the first known example of a crew abandoning ship after a Houthi attack, with previous strikes causing relatively less damage to targets.

Denmark to Donate "Entire Artillery" Stockpile to Ukraine

Danish Prime Minister Metter Frederiksen has announced Denmark will send its "entire artillery" to Ukraine amid ammunition shortages. Frederiksen did not detail how many artillery shells Denmark maintains in its stockpiles or when the weapons could be delivered to Ukraine. However, Frederiksen's statement is highly notable; no Western country has provided Ukraine with such a high proportion of its artillery.