ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - October 15, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - October 15, 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

• Dozens of Government Institutions in Ukraine Receive Anonymous Bomb Threat
• Norway Issues Border Restrictions over Threats to Israeli Interests
• China Holds War Games Around Taiwan

Dozens of Government Institutions in Ukraine Receive Anonymous Bomb Threat

On October 14, 2024, over six dozen foreign diplomatic entities in Ukraine received anonymous messages warning their buildings had been mined. Dozens of Ukrainian institutions also received similar messages, including state ministries, courts, and universities. Ukrainian authorities conducted inspections of several facilities—which briefly halted some consular services—but found no evidence of a threat. The messages were likely intended to disrupt Ukrainian society and incite panic.

Norway Issues Border Restrictions over Threats to Israeli Interests

Until October 22, 2024, Norway will put in place temporary border checks over a heightened risk of attacks on Israeli or Jewish interests. On October 8, Norway's threat level was raised from “moderate” to "high." Norway's border inspections are highly likely related to concerns there could be an uptick in attacks related to Israel's war with Hamas and Hezbollah. Neighboring Sweden has seen several attacks since the war escalated into Lebanon in early October, while Denmark has also seen an attack on the Israeli embassy.

China Holds War Games Around Taiwan

On October 14, 2024, China’s military conducted a new round of war games called “Joint Sword-2024B” in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding areas to the north, south, and east of Taiwan. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said that China deployed 125 military aircraft during the exercises, and 90 aircraft were detected inside Taiwan's air defense identification zone, including planes, helicopters, and drones. China’s military stated that the war games were a "legitimate and necessary" operation to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity and served as a warning to Taiwan. This is the second round of war games of the year after “Joint Sword-2024A,” which occurred shortly after Presidenr Lai Ching-te, whom China sees as a dangerous separatist, took office in May 2024. The latest war games were abruptly announced after Presidenr Lai Ching-te gave a pro-independence speech during Taiwan's national day on October 10.