Pentagon officials deny information about the suspension of cyber operations against Russia

4 March, 2025 US Cyber Command military personnel. Photo credits: US Cyber Command The Pentagon has denied media reports that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered a halt to offensive cyber operations against Russia.

Bloomberg reported this with reference to a senior Pentagon official. The Pentagon official stated that Hegseth had not postponed or canceled any cyber operations against Russian targets, nor had he issued an order to change this priority. The denial came after The Record, a cybersecurity publication, claimed that Hegseth had ordered the U.S.

Cyber Command to abandon all plans for Russia, including offensive operations.

Illustrative photo of US cyber specialists. Photo from open sources

The Washington Post and the New York Times later confirmed this information, citing unnamed officials. The announcement of the possible termination of operations provoked a sharp reaction from Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

He accused the Trump administration of "giving Russia a free pass" while it continues to carry out cyberattacks and ransomware against critical American infrastructure. The Pentagon refrained from commenting on previous reports of a suspension of cyber operations.

What if there really was an order?

The Record reported that Hegseth's decision came amid efforts by U.S. Cyber Command to staff up to combat Mexican drug cartels, eight of which have been officially designated as terrorist groups by the administration.

If this order does exist, it could disrupt a number of the Cyber Command's missions, particularly in Ukraine, where U.S. cyber specialists have been providing assistance, including cyber operations, in its interests since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022. The publication also notes that Russia is one of the main centers of cybercrime in the world.

Illustrative photo of US cyber specialists. Photo from open sources

State and criminal hacker groups with ties to Moscow have been attacking targets around the world, not just Ukraine.

So far, U.S. Cyber Command has played a key role in countering these malicious activities. However, the possible disruption of cyber operations could increase risks to private sector businesses in the United States and elsewhere.

Without the deterrent effect of the Cyber Command, Russian intelligence services may intensify the use of hacker groups, which creates additional threats to cybersecurity at the global level.