ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - November 24, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - November 24, 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
• Two Undersea Cables Damaged in Baltic Sea
• China and Brazil Sign Dozens of Bilateral Deals

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. On November 21, 2024, Russia launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) on Ukraine, targeting the city of Dnipro. Ukraine's Air Force initially reported the missile used in the strike was the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which would have marked the first time an ICBM was used in combat. However, U.S. and Russian officials have since stated the strike used an experimental IRBM.

Two Undersea Cables Damaged in Baltic Sea

On November 18, 2024, two undersea telecommunications cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea; the Cinia Oy C-Lion1 cable, which connects Finland and Germany, and a Telia cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden. The two incidents took place roughly six hours apart and the damaged sites on both cables are located about 65 miles away from each other, which suggests the events may be related. Regional officials said they do not yet know what caused the damage, but have launched an investigation to determine how the damage occurred. However, European officials have suggested Russia may be behind the incidents, citing warnings of hybrid warfare targeting critical infrastructure in Europe. In early September, the United States revealed it detected increased Russian military activity around key undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.

China and Brazil Sign Dozens of Bilateral Deals

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed nearly 40 trade and government agreements as the two countries upgraded the status of diplomatic relations. The deals include initiatives on industrial modernization, ecological transformations, and South American integration routes to link Brazil with the Chinese-funded Chancay mega port in Peru. Although Brazil decided not to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in October due to concerns about potential repercussions for its relationship with the United States, the two countries agreed to find synergies between the BRI and Brazilian development programs. China is Brazil’s largest trading partner, with two-way commerce exceeding USD 160 billion in 2023. The new bilateral deals will open the Chinese market for Brazilian sorghum, fresh grapes, sesame, and fishmeal.