ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - May 23, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - May 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

• Russian Decree Proposed Unilaterally Changing Maritime Border with Finland, Lithuania
• U.S. Reports Russia Recently Launched Counter-Space Weapon
• South Korean Supreme Court Dismisses Doctors Petition While Healthcare Sector Remains Paralyzed

Russian Decree Proposed Unilaterally Changing Maritime Border with Finland, Lithuania

On May 21, the Russian government published a draft decree to unilaterally change Russia's maritime border with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea. Russia deleted the decree from the government's website on May 22 after swift condemnation from several NATO members. According to the decree, Russia planned to appropriate inland sea waters in the eastern area of the Gulf of Finland and near Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk in Kaliningrad Oblast. This decree is highly likely part of Russian hybrid operations in northern Europe designed to destabilize the region and undermine Western support for Ukraine.

U.S. Reports Russia Recently Launched Counter-Space Weapon

In a press briefing on May 21, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder revealed Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit on May 16 that is "likely a counter-space weapon". According to Ryder, the Russian satellite is "presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit". Ryder said the United States would continue to monitor the situation and has "a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend" its space domain. This development comes after recent reports of a nuclear-capable satellite launched in 2022. Taken together, these incidents suggest Russia and the United States may be entering into a new age of strategic competition in space.

South Korean Supreme Court Dismisses Doctors Petition While Healthcare Sector Remains Paralyzed

On May 21, the Supreme Court of Korea dismissed an appeal filed by doctors and medical professionals aiming to stop the South Korean government’s plan to increase medical school admissions by up to 2,000 students next year. The policy, which is designed to improve wait times at hospitals, has caused a widespread doctor strike in South Korea. Only five percent of the trainee doctors who have left their jobs since February 2024 have returned to hospitals.