The United States has made the decision to suspend operations and planning for offensive cyber operations against Russia, according to a senior US official. This move is considered a significant setback, as the planning process for such operations requires time and thorough research to execute effectively.
The concern raised by the official is that the suspension of offensive cyber operations could potentially leave the US more vulnerable to cyberattacks from Russia. Moscow is known to possess a skilled group of hackers capable of disrupting critical infrastructure and gathering sensitive intelligence.
The suspension of 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 more cooperative relationship with Russia.
A senior defense official emphasized that the safety of the warfighter is a top priority in all operations, including those in the cyber domain. The official declined to provide further details on cyber intelligence, plans, or operations due to operational security concerns.
Reports indicate that Cyber Command's decision to halt planning related to Russia was first brought to light by The Record. The Kremlin views cyberspace as a strategic asset in its interactions with the US, utilizing it to infiltrate critical infrastructure and influence elections. In response, American military and intelligence hackers have increasingly targeted Russian cybercriminals and intelligence agents in recent years.
