Russia suspected in mysterious attacks on US diplomats in Cuba and China: report

Intelligence officials probing mysterious attacks that have caused brain injuries to diplomats in Cuba and China now reportedly suspect Russia is the prime perpetrator.

The intelligence community arrived at the conclusion after examining intercepted communications collected during an extensive and ongoing investigation involving the FBI, CIA and other agencies, according to NBC News. 

{mosads}However, the network said the evidence is not yet definitive enough to formally accuse the Kremlin of directing the continuing attacks that began in late 2016. 

“The investigation is ongoing. We have made no determination on who or what is responsible for the health attacks,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement to The Hill. 

It was reported earlier this month that microwave weapons were suspected in the attacks, in which diplomats heard painful sounds, lost their hearing, or suffered vertigo. However, the possibility that other weapons were also used has not been ruled out. 

One diplomat in Guangzhou, China, has experienced such symptoms, as well as 26 in Havana. No motive behind the incidents have yet been identified. 

Cuba, which denied any involvement, had previously been suspected in the attacks. 

The incidents at the U.S. Embassy in Havana resulted in a diplomatic row late last year. At the time, the Trump administration announced it would drastically reduce its diplomatic staff in Cuba and expel more than a dozen Cuban diplomats over months of alleged “health attacks” directed at U.S. personnel.