ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 29, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 29, 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

• China and India Halt March Purchases of Russian Oil
• Data Transmission Cable Linking Latvia and Sweden Damaged
• Railway Staff in Bangladesh Hold Indefinite Strike

China and India Halt March Purchases of Russian Oil

China and India have reportedly halted March purchases of Russian oil, likely due to recent U.S. sanctions on Russia's oil industry. On January 10, the outgoing Biden administration imposed the United States' toughest sanctions to date on Russia's ability to export oil, targeting several Russian oil companies, 183 shadow fleet tankers, and insurance companies. These measures prompted a spike in both shipping costs and Russia's ESPO Blend oil. Meanwhile, Bharat Petroleum finance chief Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta said Indian refiners have not yet received fresh offers for March deliveries. China and India are likely to explore alternative suppliers if Russian prices continue to remain high.

Data Transmission Cable Linking Latvia and Sweden Damaged

A subsea data cable linking Latvia and Sweden has been damaged, marking the third such incident in the Baltic Sea during the past three months. Latvia's State Radio and Television Center said it was able to deploy alternative transmission routes so the damage did not impact customers.

Crowd Crush Claims Lives at World's Largest Religious Congregation

Devotees gathering to observe "Mauni Amavashya" (the New Moon Day of Silence) at the world's largest religious gathering called Kumbha Mela in India faced tragedy as crowd crushes led to injuries and loss of life. While official details are not clear at the time of reporting, it is feared that close to 40 people have died amid several "stampede-like situations." About 100 million people were expected to gather today, with the Triveni Sangam (confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers) being the area of focus. Both religious leaders and government authorities are currently attempting to divert crowds away from the more popular locations in a bid to manage the situation.