US suspends offensive cyber operations against Russia

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to stop offensive cyberoperations against Russia, according to one current official and two former officials briefed on the matter who spoke to The New York Times. The order was handed down before Friday’s Oval Office blowup between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The measure appears to be an attempt to encourage Russia to join talks to end its war of aggression in Ukraine. The scope and duration of the order remain unclear as the difference between offensive and defensive cyberoperations is not always apparent. But it remains important to retain access to Russian networks to understand Putin’s intentions when talks begin, and to follow the arguments between Russians regarding what issues to focus on and what could be given up to achieve a peace deal.

The ex-officials told the paper that it’s common that civilian leaders order temporary holds on military operations during negotiations to avoid them being derailed. But stepping back from offensive cyberoperations remains a risk, as it counts on Russian President Vladimir Putin to also put a hold on what some call the “shadow war” against the US and its traditional European allies. Hegseth’s order was initially reported by the cybersecurity publication The Record. Those traditional allies have said that their backing of Kyiv remains steadfast amid Trump at times openly supporting Putin’s version of events. Russia has carried on attempting to get into US networks, including during the start of the Trump administration, US officials have said, according to The Times. However, such efforts are only part of a wider Russian effort to destabilise the West. Ransomware attacks against US hospitals, cities, and infrastructure have increased over the past year. Intelligence officials have said that such attacks have come from Russia in what are essentially criminal acts ignored or supported by Russian intelligence agencies.

Sabotage in Europe has also spiked in the last year to include the cutting of communications cables, mystifying explosions, and assassination plots emanating from Russia, such as against the chief executive of the largest arms maker in Germany. The U.S. has played a massive part in fighting back against these sabotage efforts, but that support could now end. Many of such efforts are operated from the British Government Communications Headquarters as well as by the Canadians. The UK intelligence agency is best known for breaking the Enigma codes during the Second World War. They may carry those efforts while the US pivots to focus on China.

Russia operated an influence campaign during the 2024 presidential campaign, reports by U.S. intelligence agencies during the Biden administration reveal. US Cyber Command has conducted secret operations to take on those attempts in recent election cycles, The Times noted.

However, the Trump administration has begun picking apart efforts by the F.B.I. and other agencies warning about the dangers of Russian propaganda and meddling. The Pentagon order issued by Hegseth would put a pause on any future attempts to hamper Russian influence campaigns.

Appearing on ABC’s This Week on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the need to get Russia to the negotiating table, but he also acknowledged that it remains unclear if Putin is ready or willing to enter into an agreement to end the war.

“You’re not going to bring them to the table if you’re calling them names, if you’re being antagonistic,” he told the network. “That’s just the president’s instincts from years and years and years of putting together deals as someone who’s in business.”