Pentagon denies reports that U.S. defense secretary halted cyber operations against Russia — Bloomberg
According to the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not order a halt to offensive cyber operations against Russia, contrary to reports in American media, a senior defense official told Bloomberg on March 4.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Hegseth “neither canceled nor delayed any cyber operations directed against malicious Russian targets.” The source added that Hegseth’s priority is the security of U.S. troops.
The first report on the alleged pause in cyber operations came from The Record on February 28. According to the outlet, Hegseth had instructed U.S. Cyber Command to stop all planning for actions against Russia, including offensive cyber operations. In the following days, sources confirmed this information to The Washington Post, The New York Times, and CNN. The most recent confirmation came from the Associated Press on March 3.
Media reports noted that Hegseth’s decision was made before the heated exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on February 28.
On March 3, Trump ordered a halt to military aid deliveries to Ukraine, just days after his public confrontation with Zelensky, multiple U.S. outlets reported.
