US Defense Secretary Orders A Halt To Offensive Cyber Operations Against Russia

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US Defense Secretary Orders A Halt To Offensive Cyber Operations Against Russia

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt offensive cyber operations and information operations against Russia, a U.S. official familiar with the matter said.

Hegseth gave the order to the head of the command, Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh, in late February, the official said. It is unclear clear how long the order will last.

A senior U.S. defense official declined to comment on the decision “due to operational security concerns.”

“There is no greater priority to Secretary Hegseth than the safety of the Warfighter in all operations, to include the cyber domain,” the official told NBC News.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is housed in the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that its “mission is to defend against all cyber threats to U.S. Critical Infrastructure, including from Russia. There has been no change in our posture.”

Representatives for U.S. Cyber Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Russian Embassy also did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Hegseth’s order was first reported by The Record.

President Donald Trump has sought to re-establish diplomatic channels with Russia in recent days, including by restoring embassy staffing, as his administration works to quickly end the war in Ukraine. U.S. officials initiated peace talks with Russian negotiators last month in Saudi Arabia.

Trump’s relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hit a standstill Friday after an Oval Office clash between Trump, Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance. Trump after the meeting chided Zelenskyy for his persistent criticism of Putin.

“He’s got to say I want to make peace,” Trump said before he departed the White House on Friday. “He doesn’t have to stand there and say about ‘Putin this, Putin that,’ all negative things. He’s got to say I want to make peace. I don’t want to fight a war any longer.”