Illustration. PHOTO/Reuters
Citing an anonymous ‘source’, the newspaper said, as quoted by RT, Thursday (11/25/2021), that CIA Director William Burns raised the issue earlier this month during a meeting in Moscow with Secretary of the Security Council, Nikolay Patrushev and the director of the Service. Foreign Intelligence Sergey Naryshkin.
Read: Ahead of Blinken’s Visit, Havana Syndrome Attacks US Embassy in Colombia
Havana syndrome is an unexplained disease, which has been reported by several US government officials and military personnel stationed overseas. Symptoms include hearing loud noises, pain in the ears, and cognitive difficulties.
While the first case was detected in Cuba, other cases have been reported in many other countries around the world, including China and Germany. Burns has publicly described the incident as an “attack” and suspects foreign adversaries are responsible.
According to The Washington Post, Burns told Russian officials that inflicting serious brain damage on Americans is beyond the scope of what is allowed for “professional intelligence services.” However, he did not directly accuse Russia of involvement.
Read: Not a secret weapon, US says crickets cause Havana syndrome
This is not the first accusation that Moscow is behind the Havana Syndrome. In August, US State Department deputy spokesman Alexander Bikantov denied Russia’s connection to the incident after being involved in a story published in The New Yorker.
“We believe it is low and morally wrong to start anti-Russian speculation by pointing to someone’s poor health,” Bikantov said. “It’s clear that the Western tabloid’s love of conspiracy theories is inescapable,” he continued.
Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that Burns spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that they discussed “bilateral relations” and engaged in “an exchange of opinions on regional conflicts.” Peskov did not mention the discussion of Havana Syndrome.
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