ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - November 21, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - November 21, 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

• U.S., UK Remove Some Weapons Restrictions for Ukraine
• UK and Moldova Sign Defense Pact
• 42,000 March on New Zealand Parliament in Opposition to Controversial Maori Bill

U.S., UK Remove Some Weapons Restrictions for Ukraine

Ukraine has launched British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russian territory for the first time, just days after outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to use U.S. Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) on Russian territory. The UK had previously allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadows within its own territory, but like the United States, prohibited the use of long-range weapons on Russian soil. According to media reports, British officials authorized the use of Storm Shadows on Russia to align with the new U.S. policy. In a separate development, Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov announced Russia has begun to use the frozen assets of foreigners. This move comes in response to the G7 and European Union's plan to use frozen Russian assets—worth about USD 300 billion globally—to finance a USD 50 billion loan to Ukraine.

UK and Moldova Sign Defense Pact

On November 20, 2024, the United Kingdom and Moldova signed a new defense and security partnership. The agreement aims to increase cooperation between the two countries and strengthen Moldova's "resilience against external threats," namely Russia.

42,000 March on New Zealand Parliament in Opposition to Controversial Maori Bill

What is being called the largest demonstration for Maori rights in New Zealand history occurred on November 19, 2024, as a "hikoi" (protest march) arrived at parliament. Some core marchers had set out about a week prior and were joined by a large number of supporters who all gathered to agitate against a controversial bill that would re-define the Treaty of Waitangi, which defines the governing relationship between indigenous Maori and those who arrived in or after the colonial period. The bill has little support and is almost certain to fail, but has become a flashpoint for concerns that the current government wants to reduce Maori rights that derive from the Treaty.