ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 6, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 6, 2025

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

• Huge Winter Storm Prompts Seven U.S. States to Declare Emergency
• Ukrainian Armed Forces Launch Suprise Offensive in Kursk Region of Russia
• Japan Approves New Defense Budget for 2025

Huge Winter Storm Prompts Seven U.S. States to Declare Emergency

A huge winter storm has impacted more than 60 million Americans across more than 30 states, prompting state of emergency declarations in Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, and parts of New Jersey. The storm is expected to cause the heaviest snowfall and coldest temperatures in over a decade. Kansas and Missouri have also declared a state of emergency and are likely to face whiteout conditions. The storm has delayed several flights and cut off many roads, while many schools have been shut down temporarily.

Ukrainian Armed Forces Launch Suprise Offensive in Kursk Region of Russia

On January 5, Ukrainian armed forces launched a surprise offensive in the Kursk region of Russia. According to Ukrainian officials, this was a substantial operation and included 42 combats in the area. The Sunday operation comes days before Donald Trump returns as the U.S. president on January 20.

Japan Approves New Defense Budget for 2025

The Japanese Cabinet has approved a record USD 55 billion defense budget for 2025. After decades of relatively passive military spending, Japan is accelerating military expenditures to fortify itself against growing threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. Japan is preparing to deploy U.S.-made Tomahawks late in the fiscal year 2025 as part of its ongoing effort to acquire strike-back capability with long-range missiles that can hit distant targets. Under the defense strategy, Japan aims to eventually double its annual military spending to around USD 63 billion, making it the world’s number 3 military spender after the United States and China. Japan, whose only treaty ally is the United States, has developed close ties with Australia and considers it a semi-ally as they face China’s growing threat in the region. Japan has also recently mended ties with neighboring South Korea. The two are historic adversaries but have recently put their geopolitical issues aside to combat threats from North Korea and China.