Pentagon Denies Halting Cyber Attacks on Russia

On Monday (March 3), senior officials at the Pentagon in the U.S. denied media reports about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering a halt to offensive cyber operations against Russia. The official emphasized that Hegseth has not canceled or delayed any actions targeting malicious Russian cyber targets, nor has he issued any suspension orders.

Previously, the cybersecurity publication “The Record” reported last Friday (February 28) that Hegseth had directed the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) to halt all plans targeting Russia, including offensive digital and cyber operations. This news was subsequently picked up by media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times, citing unnamed officials for confirmation.

Offensive cyber operations are typically carried out by disrupting or disabling an adversary’s computer networks, different from network espionage activities aimed at data interception.

This report has sparked strong reactions in the U.S. political arena. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the move on Sunday, stating on social media that it amounted to allowing Russia to launch cyber attacks and ransomware attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure. “The best defense is always a strong offense, and cybersecurity is no different.”

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to directly address whether there was a temporary operational pause but emphasized that Hegseth’s top priority has always been ensuring the safety of the U.S. military.

According to information from the U.S. Cyber Command website, the U.S. military currently has 135 Cyber Mission Force (CMF) teams, with the “Cyber Combat Mission Teams” specifically responsible for offensive missions, executing attacks and disruptive actions against enemy network systems.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has ordered a suspension of all military aid to Ukraine until the Zelensky administration demonstrates “good faith commitments” to the peace process. An unnamed Defense Department official revealed that this decision stems from Trump’s desire to ensure Ukraine shows a more cooperative attitude at the negotiating table.

The impact of this decision remains to be seen but indicates that the Trump administration is in a delicate adjustment phase in dealing with the Russia-Ukraine conflict issue.