The United States has suspended operations and planning for a cyber operation against Russia. The move is a “major blow,” especially given that planning for such operations takes time and research, CNN reports.
The official said the concern is that pausing offensive cyber operations against Russia would make the United States more vulnerable to potential cyberattacks from Moscow. He noted that Russia has a formidable cadre of hackers capable of disrupting critical U.S. infrastructure and collecting sensitive intelligence.
Meanwhile, CNN writes that the pause in operations and planning by U.S. Cyber Command, the military’s offensive and defensive cyber unit, comes as the Trump administration seeks to achieve a broader détente with Russia.
“Due to operational security concerns, we do not comment or discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations. “There is no higher priority for Secretary Hegseth than the safety of warfighters in all operations, including cyberspace,” a senior military official added to CNN, referring to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.