DEFENCE SEC PETE HELYCLIF TOLD US CYBER COMMAND TO STAND DOWN ON RUSSIA
Pete Hegseth Orders US Cyber Command to Stand Down on Russia: Reports
Published Mar 03, 2025 at 5:36 AM EST
Updated Mar 03, 2025 at 8:01 AM EST
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By Brendan Cole
Senior News Reporter
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U.S. Cyber Command has been ordered to halt offensive operations against Russia, according to reports.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's instruction, part of a move to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin into talks about the war in Ukraine, highlights a new relationship between Moscow and Washington, The New York Times said.
The publication and other U.S. outlets, such as CNN and NBC, reported Hegseth's order citing unnamed current and former officials. The Record, a cybersecurity news site, was the first to report on the order.
In a statement on Monday, the Pentagon told Newsweek that it did not comment nor discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations due to operational security concerns.
Why It Matters
Critics of the move are concerned that such a pause on offensive cyber operations against Russia—critical to understanding Moscow's intentions ahead of any negotiations—could make the U.S. more vulnerable to potential cyberattacks from Moscow.
US Cyber Command
A sign for U.S. Cyber Command, the National Security Agency and Central Security Service at NSA headquarters in 2018. SAUL LOEB/Getty Images
What To Know
On February 28, the Record reported that Hegseth had ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions.
U.S. Cyber Command, established more than a decade ago, has several thousand computer operatives at its base at Fort Meade, Maryland.
The defense secretary gave the instruction to Cyber Command Chief General Timothy Haugh, who then informed the organization's outgoing director of operations, Marine Corps Major General Ryan Heritage, three unnamed people familiar with the matter told the Record.
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"The order does not apply to the National Security Agency, which Haugh also leads, or its signals intelligence work targeting Russia," the outlet reported.
A senior U.S. defense official told Newsweek that due to operational security concerns, "we do not comment nor discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations."
"There is no greater priority to Secretary Hegseth than the safety of the Warfighter in all operations, to include the cyber domain," the statement added.
The New York Times said Hegseth's instructions were issued before the White House spat between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and that they form part of a reassessment of all operations against Russia, which have not been announced publicly.
According to the Times, while officials said it was common for military operations to be paused during diplomatic negotiations, retreating from cyberoperations against Russia would be a gamble because it relied on Putin reciprocating with a similar move.
The U.S. has previously said Russia has tried to penetrate its networks, and Moscow has also faced accusations of sabotage efforts in Europe—including suspected attempts to cut communications cables, mysterious explosions and assassination plots.
One unnamed official told CNN that the suspension was a "major blow," while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that it would be a "critical strategic mistake" that could play into Putin's hands.
What People Are Saying
A senior U.S. defense official told Newsweek: "Due to operational security concerns, we do not comment nor discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations. There is no greater priority to Secretary Hegseth than the safety of the warfighter in all operations, to include the cyber domain."
Jason Kikta, a former Cyber Command official, told CNN: "It is not uncommon for the Pentagon to pause actions which are potentially destabilizing or provocative for negotiations, including cyber-effects operations. But if a planning pause was also directed, that could cause offensive options to become stale and therefore nonviable."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X on Sunday: "Donald Trump is so desperate to earn the affection of a thug like Vladimir Putin he appears to be giving him a free pass as Russia continues to launch cyber operations and ransomware attacks against critical American infrastructure, threatening our economic and national security."
What Happens Next
The consequences of Hegseth's order are unclear. According to the Record, if it applies to U.S. Cyber Command digital operatives focused on Russia, the instruction will affect hundreds of people, including members of the roughly 2,000-strong Cyber National Mission Force and the Cyber Mission Force.
However, if the guidance extends to areas such as intelligence and analysis or capabilities development, far more people will be affected.
On Sunday, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said on X that its mission to defend against all cyber threats, including from Russia, had not changed.
Update 03/03/25, 8:01 a.m. ET: A Pentagon statement has been added.
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Brendan Cole
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Brendan Cole is a Newsweek Senior News Reporter based in London, UK. His focus is Russia and Ukraine, in particular ... Read more
