Russia has “targeted and neutralized” dozens of US intelligence agents in recent years in a covert worldwide operation using sonic weapons, a House committee heard on Wednesday as it looked into the mystery phenomenon known as Havana syndrome.
The panel heard from expert witnesses that Russia had “the motive, the means and the opportunity” to enact the attacks on US diplomats and other government employees at embassies and other government outposts that left many with debilitating or career-ending brain injuries and hearing loss.
“This is a global campaign, and it’s focused on attacking the best of our people,” said Greg Edgreen, a retired army officer, whose company founded by combat veterans and intelligence professionals works with survivors of anomalous health incidents (AHIs).
“The impact has been that mission-critical government officials working abroad and at home are being removed from their posts. America’s best men and women in national security are being targeted and neutralized.”
A comprehensive investigation published last month by a coalition of media outlets said an elite Russian intelligence and assassination unit was probably responsible, contradicting an earlier government assessment that no foreign adversary was involved.
Wednesday’s hearing of the House homeland security subcommittee on counterterrorism, law enforcement and intelligence was convened to examine the incidents, with its chairman, the Texas Republican congressman August Pfluger, appearing to question the authorities’ conclusion.
“Dating back to 2014, a number of US diplomatic military and intelligence officials and their families have reported major medical symptoms that have affected their auditory and sensory motor skills,” he said.
“It’s paramount that we acknowledge the gravity of the situation.”
The meeting also heard testimony from Christo Grozev, chief author of the report published by the Insider, 60 Minutes and Der Spiegel following a year-long investigation.
“The totality of the evidence uncovered by our team has proven that Russia has the mot
