TechSilent but deadly: The covert sound wars harming U.S. Diplomats

Silent but deadly: The covert sound wars harming U.S. Diplomats

Migraines, memory disorders, sleep issues, and hearing organ damage: these symptoms, hard to pin down and categorize, have been reported by staff at American diplomatic posts globally, often coinciding with the travels of Russian Unit 29155 officers.
"Havana syndrome" can be explained by the effects of using sonic weapons.
"Havana syndrome" can be explained by the effects of using sonic weapons.
Images source: © Kremlin.ru

The Russians called their focus "non-lethal acoustic weapons" and even honored one of Unit 29155's officers with a medal for exploring this area. This recognition wasn't unfounded. International investigations revealed that, for nearly a decade, Russian special services have been targeting American diplomats and officers, inflicting them with what's come to be known as the "Havana syndrome." This syndrome encompasses a spectrum of ailments experienced by employees at the U.S. diplomatic post in Havana between 2015-2017, including severe headaches, ear pain, balance loss, and memory issues, leading to the evacuation of 24 individuals.
The syndrome's footprint expanded as similar complaints emerged from staff in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Georgia, Austria, and even within the U.S., in Washington, D.C. This mysterious condition affected those involved with Russian affairs, sparking significant concern due to its accompanying neurological and physical injuries, such as non-mechanical brain damage and cochlear injuries, echoing Havana syndrome symptoms.

How do these attacks happen without the victims noticing? Loud sounds can cause pain, and the same is true for sounds we can't hear just by emitting them at frequencies above (ultrasonics) or below (infrasonics) human hearing capabilities. This method creates the sensation of silence for the victim while subjecting them to extreme noise exposure.

Following the Havana Act, affected individuals received compensation, though American intelligence agencies have downplayed these incidents, denying foreign states' involvement. However, this stance contradicts expert opinions, including those within the American intelligence community. It is challenged by investigative reports by media outlets such as the Latvian "Insider," German "Der Spiegel," and the American CBS program "60 Minutes."

These investigations highlight that Havana wasn't the initial outbreak site, mentioning earlier occurrences in places like Frankfurt and linking them to the travels of Unit 29155 officers. Known for its covert operations, Unit 29155 has been implicated in various global incidents, from using radioactive substances in NATO territories to poisoning adversaries of the Russian state.

Despite Kremlin denials, the existence of "non-lethal acoustic weapons" is a reality, not mere journalistic fantasy or science fiction.

The use of sound as a weapon is not new. It dates back to ancient times and has evolved through history—from biblical tales like the battle of Jericho to more modern applications, such as the use of music against Panama's Manuel Noriega or the deployment of LRAD devices against pirates and protestors. Yet, what stands out is the weaponized sound and the concept of using inaudible frequencies to impact individuals silently.

Moreover, the employment of high-frequency sounds isn't limited to espionage or diplomatic tensions. Devices like the Mosquito, designed to deter loitering teenagers with high-frequency tones, show sound-based technologies' broader, everyday applications. Even marketers exploit these inaudible frequencies to subtly influence consumer behavior, bridging our devices without conscious awareness.

The saga of the Havana syndrome and the broader implications of inaudible sound technologies spotlight a modern battlefield where the weapons are silent but the impacts resonant, touching on aspects of security, health, and consumer rights.

Identified members of Unit 29155, involved in the attack on Sergei Skripal
Identified members of Unit 29155, involved in the attack on Sergei Skripal© Bellingcat
The Fall of Jericho - fragment (Jean Fouquet)
The Fall of Jericho - fragment (Jean Fouquet)© Public domain

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