According to NBC News, US officials reported that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses ordered US cyber commands to halt offensive cyber operations and information operations against Russia.
Hegseth issued an order to Command Chief General Tim Haugh in late February, officials said. It’s not clear how long the order will last.
The US Secretary of Defense declined to comment on the decision “due to operational security concerns.”
“There is no major priority for Secretary Hegustes over the safety of fighter jets in all operations to include the cyber domain,” an official told NBC News.
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, housed in the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that it is “opposed to all cyber threats from Russia to the critical U.S. infrastructure.”
Representatives from Cyber Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Russian Embassy also did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
Hegseth’s order was first reported by the record.
President Donald Trump has recently sought to reestablish diplomatic channels with Russia, including restoring embassy staffing so that his administration can work to quickly end the war in Ukraine. US authorities began peace talks with Russian negotiators in Saudi Arabia last month.
President Trump’s relationship with Voorazian president was suspended on Friday after competing with Trump, Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance. After the meeting, Trump cheated Zelensky due to his persistent criticism of Putin.
“He has to say I want to create peace,” Trump said before leaving the White House on Friday. He must say I want to create peace. I don’t want to fight war anymore. ”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (Rs.C.) spoke about the intense meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky.
The breakdown of the meeting delayed the signing of a contract granting the US significant ownership of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. This is used to create a variety of technical products.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., on Sunday called for a Trump bid to gain Putin’s favor with the administration’s decision to suspend offensive cyber operations against Russia.
“Donald Trump is extremely desperate to gain the affection of thugs like Vladimir Putin. He appears to be continuing to launch cyber operations and launching ransomware attacks on critical American infrastructure.
Last year, the Biden administration labelled Russia as a “permanent global cyber threat,” pointing to targeting US government agencies, think tanks, energy and aviation by Russia’s foreign intelligence agency.
“Moscow views cyber turmoil as a diplomatic lever, shaping decisions from other countries, continually refines and adopts spy, influence and attack capabilities against a variety of targets,” the Director of National Intelligence said in a 2024 Threat Assessment. “Russia maintains its ability to target critical infrastructure, including underwater cables and industrial control systems, in the US and its Allied and partner countries.”
The US Intelligence Evaluation said Russia continues to raise global cyber threats “despite the prioritization of cyber operations for the Ukrainian war.”
Microsoft said in November that Russia has recently stepped up its cyber operations, targeting mainly Ukraine and NATO countries.
“Russian threat actors focus on accessing and stealing intelligence from international partners supplying Ukrainian fighter jets and weapons.
The report also highlighted Russia’s cyber operations aimed at affecting the 2024 presidential election. This is an effort that brought sanctions by the Biden administration.
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