Multiple officials from the United States have indicated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed U.S. Cyber Command to halt its planning of offensive cyber operations against Russia. This decision, whose duration and underlying rationale remain undisclosed, emerges at a time when President Trump is reportedly negotiating measures to conclude the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, following recent tensions highlighted by a recent Oval Office exchange with Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy.
The directive was initially brought to light by a cybersecurity news outlet, The Record. When asked for comments, a senior defense official underscored that operational security prevents any detailed discussion on cyber intelligence, plans, or operations, reiterating the military's priority of protecting its personnel in all domains, including cyber operations.
Republican Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, when queried about the pause during an appearance on "Face the Nation," expressed skepticism, noting that the complexities surrounding current U.S. operations make a broad statement of pausing unlikely. His remarks were supported by ongoing discussions and concerns regarding Russia’s cyber activities, further highlighting the sensitive and multifaceted nature of U.S. cyber operations.
National security adviser Mike Waltz, speaking on CNN's State of the Union, also expressed unawareness of any such directive. He maintained that discussions about pausing offensive measures were not on the agenda, alluding instead to a strategy involving a mix of incentives and penalties aimed at bringing the conflict to a resolution.