ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief Dec 30 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 30, 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

• ZeroFox Intelligence Flash Report - EU Energy Risks in Early 2025
• Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel Suspected of Damaged Finnish-Estonian Power Cable
• South Korea Acting President Impeached as Social Unrest Continues

ZeroFox Intelligence Flash Report - EU Energy Risks in Early 2025

European energy prices have reached their highest level since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine in early 2022, just as Ukraine plans to halt the transit of Russian gas through the Druzhba pipeline on January 1, 2025. While price increases are steepest in eastern Europe, there will very likely be inflationary costs across the European Union (EU) without the replacement of Russian gas supplies. Energy insecurity and rising costs have been a key source of political unrest in Europe since the Russia-Ukraine war began.

Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel Suspected of Damaged Finnish-Estonian Power Cable

Finnish authorities detained the oil tanker "Eagle S," suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia. The Estlink 2, which delivers electricity from Finland to Estonia, was disconnected from the grid on December 25 after it sustained significant damage. Finnish officials believe the Eagle S tanker is part of Russia's "shadow fleet" that transports Russian oil to circumvent Western sanctions. The ship was recorded in the vicinity of the cable at the time of the damage. Investigators suspect the Eagle S intentionally dragged its anchor across the ocean floor to damage the cable. This incident marks the fifth cable severed in the Baltic Sea in the past 14 months, and comes amid warnings from Western officials about increased risks of Russian hybrid attacks in the region.

South Korea Acting President Impeached as Social Unrest Continues

South Korea impeached acting president Han Duck-soo, just two weeks after impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol. Opposition members of parliament (MPs) argued President Han was refusing to comply with measures to complete Yoon's impeachment, which came following his failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3. Yoon and Han are members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), which lost its majority in parliament following the April 2024 local elections. Since then, they have been unable to pass major legislation, which prompted Yoon to impose martial law to force through the changes. The martial law order backfired and was quickly retracted.