The perplexing “Havana syndrome” ailment, haunting U.S. diplomats and spies globally, may have deeper roots than previously suspected. According to the Insider media group, there’s a compelling link suggesting the involvement of a Russian military intelligence unit wielding energy weapons.
A U.S. intelligence inquiry released last year had dismissed the notion of a foreign adversary behind the ailment, initially documented by U.S. embassy staff in Havana in 2016. However, the Insider’s investigation, conducted in collaboration with 60 Minutes and Der Spiegel, uncovered startling connections. Members of Russia’s GRU unit 29155 were reportedly present during incidents affecting U.S. personnel.
This year-long inquiry also disclosed that senior figures within Unit 29155 were commended and promoted for their contributions to the development of “non-lethal acoustic weapons.” Despite Russia’s persistent denial, mounting evidence suggests otherwise.
Victims of the syndrome have endured a range of symptoms, from migraines to memory lapses, signaling a sophisticated form of attack. The Insider’s report even hints at earlier occurrences, such as an incident in Frankfurt, Germany, where a U.S. consulate employee was allegedly struck unconscious by a powerful energy beam.
In response to the growing crisis, the U.S. Congress passed the Havana Act in 2021, granting authorization for compensatory measures to affected personnel and their families. As the investigation continues, the shadow of suspicion looms larger over the alleged perpetrators and the intricate web of espionage they weave.