The Pentagon has reportedly suspended offensive cyber operations against Russia, according to multiple media outlets citing a senior US official. The decision was allegedly made before last Friday’s tense Oval Office exchange between Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and President Donald Trump.
Unnamed officials say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued the directive to US Cyber Command in late February as Washington reassesses its relationship with Moscow. The Record, a cybersecurity-focused news outlet, first reported the move on Friday, noting that it does not affect signals intelligence collection by the National Security Agency, which operates under the Department of Defense.
While details of the rollback remain unclear, sources indicate the suspension is indefinite. Critics of Trump have condemned the decision as a national security risk, with an official quoted by CNN calling it a “major blow” to America’s ability to infiltrate Russian networks in the future, particularly in support of Ukraine.
Russia considers the US a significant cyber threat, and tensions between the two countries have stalled efforts to establish rules for cyberspace despite Moscow’s repeated proposals. The US has long been a major player in cyber warfare, with past operations including the sabotage of Iranian uranium enrichment facilities during Barack Obama’s presidency.
Although cyberattacks are often difficult to trace, US intelligence agencies sometimes express strong confidence that hacker groups linked to Russia, China, or other adversarial states are responsible for specific incidents. US media frequently highlight foreign cyber threats, occasionally with little evidence. A notable example occurred in January 2019 when MSNBC host Rachel Maddow speculated that Russia could “kill the power in Fargo today” amid a US cold snap. Her comments referenced unverified claims that Russian hackers had infiltrated Vermont’s power grid.
The Trump administration has signaled a desire to improve relations with Russia following years of hostility and strained communication under Joe Biden. Senior US officials argue that a pragmatic foreign policy requires direct dialogue with rival nations.
Source: RT
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
