Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt all planning against Russia, including offensive cyber operations, according to three anonymous sources.
The directive, issued to Cyber Command chief Gen. Timothy Haugh, was relayed to outgoing operations director Maj. Gen. Ryan Heritage.
The order does not affect the National Security Agency (NSA) or its intelligence work targeting Russia, but it is an obvious reward for Vladimir Putin’s assistance in helping elect President Donald Trump.
This move aligns with the White House’s efforts to ally the United States with Moscow despite its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and longstanding opposition to freedom and democracy.
Trump has made false statements sympathetic to Russia, blaming Ukraine for the conflict, and he has been visibly enamored with Putin.
A planned U.S.-Ukraine mineral resources deal collapsed after a heated Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. Trump tried to shake down the European nation, which has been heroicly resisting invasion for three years.
The duration of Hegseth’s order is unclear, but it is expected to remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
Heritage, who oversees mission planning, would notify relevant entities to pause operations, including the 16th Air Force, which handles cyber operations in Europe.
Cyber Command is compiling a risk assessment detailing halted missions and ongoing Russian threats.
The order’s impact on personnel is uncertain. If limited to offensive units, it affects hundreds, but broader application could impact thousands, including the 5,800-strong Cyber Mission Force.
Cyber Command employs 2,000–3,000 personnel, excluding NSA staff, all based at Fort Meade, Maryland.
The directive comes as Cyber Command faces staffing challenges in targeting Mexican drug cartels, eight of which are now designated as terrorist groups.
Trump officials have advocated military action against cartels to curb drug trafficking.
A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment, citing operational security, but emphasized Hegseth’s priority on warfighter safety, including in cyber operations.
The order could disrupt high-profile missions, particularly in Ukraine, where Cyber Command deployed “hunt forward” teams to bolster defenses before Russia’s invasion.
It also risks leaving U.S. and global private sectors vulnerable to Russian cyber threats, including state-linked ransomware attacks.
The command has paid close attention to how Moscow uses its digital capabilities, especially for intelligence purposes.
Russia is also a bastion for cybercrime, with state-linked and criminal ransomware actors striking targets around the globe.
The command has become a key player in countering the malicious activity.
In addition, the stand-down order could expose private sector entities in the U.S. and around the world to greater risk if the command is not keeping Moscow’s intelligence and military services, which both feature notorious hacker groups, at bay.
Last year, Microsoft revealed Russia’s SVR targeted government employees worldwide to infiltrate systems.
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