A recent report from CBS' '60 Minutes' suggests that a secretive Russian military unit, known as 29155 and under the direct control of Russian President Vladimir Putin, may be behind a series of attacks resulting in mysterious illnesses among dozens of U.S. officials serving overseas. These incidents, commonly referred to as 'Havana Syndrome,' have affected over 100 Americans since 2016.
While a 2023 government report deemed it 'very unlikely' that a foreign adversary was responsible for the illnesses, many victims and experts remain skeptical. Greg Edgreen, a former Army lieutenant colonel and lead Pentagon investigator, has pointed to evidence implicating Russian involvement, with a focus on Moscow.
The targeted individuals, including White House staff, CIA officers, FBI agents, and military officers, were reportedly high performers engaged in work related to Russia. The symptoms experienced by the victims have led to suspicions of a secret weapon capable of emitting high-energy beams of microwaves or ultrasound.
Christo Grozev, a journalist, uncovered Russian documents linking unit 29155 to a 'directed energy weapon,' further supporting the theory of Russian involvement. Additionally, evidence suggests the unit's presence in Tbilisi, Georgia, during reported attacks on Americans in the region.
Rebekah Koffler, a military intelligence analyst, believes it is 'highly likely' that Russia is behind the Havana Syndrome attacks, citing historical precedents of similar tactics during the Cold War. Despite denials from a Russian presidential spokesperson, doubts persist regarding the government's assessment of the situation.
In response to the revelations, the White House has ordered relevant departments to prioritize investigations into the cause of Havana Syndrome and ensure affected government employees and their families receive timely medical care. The FBI has also committed to taking all reports of symptoms from U.S. government personnel seriously.