A joint investigation by CBS’s 60 Minutes, German news site Der Spiegel and independent magazine The Insider has found links between a shadowy Russian intelligence unit and cases of so-called Havana Syndrome targeting U.S. and Canadian diplomats. The Kremlin has denied the allegations.

Moscow

A joint investigation conducted by CBS's 60 Minutes, German news site Der Spiegel, and The Insider, an independent magazine, has purportedly discovered connections between a clandestine Russian intelligence unit and incidents referred to as "Havana Syndrome". These incidents have primarily affected U.S. and Canadian diplomats. The Kremlin has refuted these accusations, denying any involvement with the cases of Havana Syndrome. 

Havana Syndrome is characterized by a set of unexplained medical symptoms experienced by diplomats, including headaches, dizziness, and memory loss. The origins and causes of these symptoms have been the subject of speculation and investigation for several years. The recent findings reported by the investigation aim to shed light on potential perpetrators behind these incidents, implicating a Russian intelligence unit, although specific details of the evidence have not been disclosed in the provided information.



Investigation links Russian intelligence to ‘Havana Syndrome’

A new twist in a years-long mystery believed to have started in Havana. What is behind an unexplained illness affecting U.S. diplomats? It was like a dentist drilling on steroids. That feeling when it gets too close to your eardrum, it's like that, you know, times 10. Now an international joint investigation that aired on 60 Minutes alleges they may have been targeted by a secretive Russian intelligence unit. It's next generation weaponry and unfortunately it's been refined on some of us and we're the test subjects. The first case of so-called Havana syndrome was believed to have happened in that city in 2016, although this new report suggests there were instances in Germany two years earlier. The injured describe experiencing dizziness, headaches and vision problems, and they include White House staff, CIA officers, FBI agents, military officers and their families. Consistently there was a Russia nexus. There was some angle where they had worked against Russia, focused on Russia and done extremely well. More than a dozen Canadian diplomats and their family members have also reported experiencing similar symptoms after placements in Cuba, and some are now suing the federal government. These diplomats are serving Canada in some of the most dangerous places in the world, and if we're not going to step up and protect them and protect them substantially, I don't know who would go into the diplomatic corps. Last year, U.S. intelligence officials said it's very unlikely a foreign adversary is responsible. The White House maintains that it supports that finding. We trust our intelligence community, right? The Kremlin has dismissed the report, calling the allegation nothing but unfounded accusations. Ido Musa, CBC News, Toronto.

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