US Pauses Offensive Cyber-Ops Against Russia

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt all planning against Russia, including offensive digital operations, The Record reports.

The directive, issued towards the end of last week to Cyber Command chief General Timothy Haugh, heralds a major shift in U.S. cyber strategy toward Moscow.

The order, which was subsequently relayed to the outgoing director of operations, Marine Corps Major General Ryan Heritage, does not extend to the National Security Agency (NSA) or its signals intelligence activities targeting Russia, sources said. However, the full extent of Hegseth’s directive remains unclear.

Policy Shift and Diplomatic Implications

Hegseth’s decision is seen as part of the White House’s broader efforts to improve relations with Moscow. The move follows a period in which the U.S. and its allies sought to isolate Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. President Donald Trump has ...