has denied any involvement in the mysterious Havana Syndrome and called any accusations "unfounded". Havana Syndrome first came to light in 2016 when
US Embassy staff in reported unexplained brain injuries and since then, similar incidents have been reported by spies,
diplomats, and personnel around the world. Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary for the
Russian President, has slammed the accusations held against Russia, adding that no one has ever provided evidence of these "baseless" claims. Some intelligence officers believe
Russia is using directed energy devices to attack US personnel. A recent investigation by The Insider, Der Spiegel, and CBS's 60 Minutes suggested that Russia could be using a sonic weapon on US diplomatic personnel -
Moscow denies these claims. It comes as a swathe of advanced tests have found no evidence of brain injuries among those suffering from the syndrome, researchers reported Monday. The National Institute of Health's study, which was ongoing for nearly five years, has yet to find an explanation for the symptoms that were first reported in Cuba in 2016 and later by hundreds of US personnel in multiple countries. These include headaches, balance problems, and difficulties with thinking and sleep. However, it contradicts earlier findings that suggested brain injuries in people experiencing what are now referred to as "anomalous health incidents" by the State Department. "These individuals have real symptoms and are going through a very tough time," said Dr. Leighton Chan, the head of rehabilitation medicine at NIH, who was part of the research team. "They can be quite profound, disabling and difficult to treat." Both
Democrats and
Republicans have urged US President Joe Biden's administration to find out who and what might be responsible and to improve treatment for victims. In 2021, Biden signed a bill aimed at providing better medical care. The State Department also appointed a new coordinator for its review of cases after victims criticized the previous coordinator.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a letter to department employees promising them investigations into the incidents would continue, as would efforts to improve care. At a news conference on Thursday in
Berlin, Blinken said that after meeting with people who had reported cases, "there is no doubt in my mind that they have had real experiences, real symptoms and real suffering." "We are going to continue to do everything we can, with all the resources we can bring to bear, to understand, again, what happened, why, and who might be responsible," Blinken said. "And we are leaving no stone unturned."