Possible connection between “Havana Syndrome” and the secret service of the Russian military | The Insider investigation

A mysterious illness that has afflicted American diplomats in recent years has been linked to a Russian intelligence unit. Personnel worldwide with “Havana Syndrome” have reported unexplained symptoms such as constant headaches and dizziness.

A joint investigation by The Insider, Der Spiegel and CBS’s 60 Minutes revealed the hypothesis that the diplomats were targeted by Russian sonic weaponry. While Moscow has denied the allegations, US officials have previously said it is unlikely that a foreign power was to blame, notes BBC News.

The review of “abnormal health incidents” – reported last year – gave no alternative explanation, frustrating those who were affected. The intelligence agencies involved have shown varying levels of confidence in this assessment.

Legislation in support of victims

The phenomenon takes its name from Havana, the capital of Cuba, where the first case was detected in 2016. However, the new report suggests that the first cases may have been detected in Germany two years earlier.

US personnel stricken with the condition – including White House, CIA and FBI personnel – have complained of dizziness, headaches, difficulty concentrating and an intense, painful ringing in the ears.

Over 1,000 reports of the mysterious illness have been made. Dozens of cases have yet to find an official explanation.

US lawmakers have passed legislation designed to support victims – and people with confirmed brain damage from the disease are eligible for payments.

It has long been suspected that the affected people were the targets of directed or microwave energies hidden in the devices – a possibility that was acknowledged in an earlier US intelligence report.

29155: Russian military unit accused by media

The latest media investigation claims that agents of a Russian military intelligence unit – known as 29155 – may have targeted the brains of US diplomats with “directed energy” weapons.

They say there is evidence they are placing members of the unit in cities around the world at times when US personnel have reported incidents.

Countries where ‘Havana Syndrome’ has been reported PHOTO Daily Mail

As part of the investigation, The Insider – a Russia-focused website – also reported that officers from unit 29155 were rewarded for their work related to the development “non-lethal acoustic weapons”.

A US military investigator who has looked into cases of the syndrome told 60 Minutes that the common link between victims of the syndrome is a “Russian connection”.

Greg Edgreen explained: “There was a perspective according to which they worked against Russia, they focused on Russia, and they did extremely well.“

He also stated that his country did not want to
“he faces very d truthscheers”.

The Kremlin denies the allegations

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied there was any evidence of Russian involvement and said the report’s allegations were unfounded.

A victim of the syndrome – an FBI agent – told 60 Minutes about her experience of being struck by a powerful force while at her home in Florida in 2021.

“Bam, in my right ear, it was like a dentist using an amplified drill“she said.
“That feeling when it gets too close to your eardrum? That’s right, 10 times.“

The woman – known as Carrie – said she eventually passed out and later had problems with her memory and concentration.

US officials told CBS News they will “continue to closely scrutinize abnormal health incidents”but reiterated their position that it is “highly unlikely that a foreign adversary is responsible”.

They also said that “they did not question the very real experiences and symptoms that their peers and family members reported,” saying their work on such incidents is a priority.