U.S. Cyber Command Halts Offensive Operations Against Russia Amid Policy Shift

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered Cyber Command to halt all planning and offensive operations against Russia, signaling a shift in strategy aimed at normalizing relations with Moscow amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The directive, conveyed to Cyber Command leadership, does not apply to the National Security Agency's signals intelligence activities related to Russia. While the duration of the stand-down is unclear, Cyber Command has been instructed to assess the implications of this order on current missions and potential threats, affecting a significant portion of its personnel dedicated to Russian operations.

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