Pentagon Halts All Military Cyber Operations Against Russia
World
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the U.S. Cyber Command to halt all planned operations against Russia, including offensive cyber operations, The Record reports.
It remains unclear when the order will take effect. According to sources cited by the publication, Cyber Command has been informed that the decision will be implemented "in the near future." Currently, U.S. Cyber Command is conducting a risk assessment, after which Hegseth will be presented with a list of frozen missions and potential threats still emanating from Russia.
Hegseth issued the order to General Timothy Haugh, the head of U.S. Cyber Command, who then relayed it to Major General Ryan Heritage, who oversees the operational activities of U.S. cyber forces.
However, the Pentagon’s order does not apply to the National Security Agency (NSA). This means that radio-electronic intelligence operations against Russia will continue.
According to The Record, this ban may also affect cyber operations aimed at supporting Ukraine.
Previously, U.S. Cyber Command had deployed specialists to Kyiv to strengthen Ukraine’s "digital defense" and assess Moscow’s cyber capabilities, including for intelligence purposes.
At present, the future of U.S. cyber forces, which number around 6,000 personnel, remains uncertain. One in four cyber specialists is focused on Russia-related missions, as the country is considered a major global hub for cybercrime and has been involved in numerous cyberattacks against American companies and government agencies.
Sources cited by The Record indicate that Hegseth’s order was issued about a week ago and has no connection to the recent dispute between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Notably, their meeting escalated into a public argument on live television, after which the Ukrainian delegation was expelled from the White House.
Hegseth issued the order to General Timothy Haugh, the head of U.S. Cyber Command, who then relayed it to Major General Ryan Heritage, who oversees the operational activities of U.S. cyber forces.
However, the Pentagon’s order does not apply to the National Security Agency (NSA). This means that radio-electronic intelligence operations against Russia will continue.
According to The Record, this ban may also affect cyber operations aimed at supporting Ukraine.
Previously, U.S. Cyber Command had deployed specialists to Kyiv to strengthen Ukraine’s "digital defense" and assess Moscow’s cyber capabilities, including for intelligence purposes.
At present, the future of U.S. cyber forces, which number around 6,000 personnel, remains uncertain. One in four cyber specialists is focused on Russia-related missions, as the country is considered a major global hub for cybercrime and has been involved in numerous cyberattacks against American companies and government agencies.
Sources cited by The Record indicate that Hegseth’s order was issued about a week ago and has no connection to the recent dispute between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Notably, their meeting escalated into a public argument on live television, after which the Ukrainian delegation was expelled from the White House.
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