Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt offensive cyber operations and information operations against Russia. The order was given to Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh in late February, with no clear end date. This decision was made to prioritize the safety of U.S. personnel in cyber operations. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency reaffirmed their mission to defend against all cyber threats, including those from Russia. The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
President Donald Trump has been working to re-establish diplomatic channels with Russia and end the war in Ukraine. However, a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy led to a standoff between the two leaders. Trump criticized Zelenskyy for his negative comments about Putin, delaying the signing of an agreement over Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the decision to halt offensive cyber operations against Russia, accusing Trump of trying to earn Putin’s favor. The Biden administration has previously labeled Russia as an enduring global cyber threat, citing their cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure in the U.S. and allied countries. Russia has been intensifying its cyber operations, focusing on Ukraine and NATO countries.
Overall, the decision to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia has sparked criticism and raised concerns about the potential consequences of disarming in the face of ongoing cyber threats from Russia.
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