The United States has decided to suspend operations and planning for offensive cyber operations against Russia, according to a senior US official. This suspension is considered a significant setback as it requires time and research to carry out such operations effectively. The concern is that this pause may leave the US vulnerable to potential cyberattacks from Russia, which boasts a skilled cadre of hackers capable of disrupting critical US infrastructure and gathering sensitive intelligence.
The pause in operations and planning by US Cyber Command, the military's cyber unit responsible for offensive and defensive actions, coincides with the Trump administration's efforts to establish a broader détente with Russia amidst Moscow's ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
While President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, throwing the US-Ukraine relationship into uncertainty, the Pentagon has refrained from commenting on cyber intelligence, plans, or operations due to operational security concerns.
Former Cyber Command official Jason Kikta noted that pausing potentially destabilizing actions for negotiation purposes is not uncommon, but a halt in planning could render offensive options ineffective over time. The ongoing confrontation between Russia and the US in cyberspace has seen both sides engage in cyber operations to gain asymmetric advantages and influence elections.
Established over a decade ago, Cyber Command was created to address threats from Russia and other foreign powers. The command has evolved into a robust force of computer operatives conducting offensive and defensive missions, with a focus on power projection and assisting allies in defending against cyber threats.
Despite the change in planning at Cyber Command, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency affirmed that it remains committed to defending critical infrastructure from all cyber threats, including those from Russia. The agency emphasized that there has been no alteration in its posture, contrary to some media reports suggesting otherwise.
