US halts cyber activities targeting Russia, reports say
The directive was allegedly issued prior to the problematic meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House last week. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Pentagon has reportedly ordered a halt to offensive cyber operations against Russia, according to multiple media sources citing a senior US official. This decision was made prior to the contentious meeting between Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last Friday.
The order, issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to US Cyber Command, instructed a cease in operations in late February as Washington reevaluates its relationship with Moscow, according to unnamed officials.
The Record, a news outlet focused on cybersecurity, was the first to announce this development on Friday, pointing out that the directive does not impact signal intelligence collection conducted by the National Security Agency, which operates under the Department of Defense.
Although specifics regarding the rollback remain unclear, sources indicated that it is indefinite. Critics of Trump have labeled the move as a threat to national security, with one official quoted by CNN referring to it as a “major blow” to America’s ability to infiltrate Russian networks in the future, including efforts to support Ukraine.
Russia perceives the US as a significant cyber threat. The increasing hostility between the two countries in recent years has complicated attempts to establish agreements for cyberspace, despite Moscow's repeated proposals. The US has been a prominent player in cyber warfare, as evidenced by notable operations, such as the sabotage of Iranian uranium enrichment facilities during Barack Obama’s presidency.
While digital attacks are often difficult to trace, US intelligence agencies sometimes assert confidence in attributing specific incidents to hacker groups linked to nations like China and Russia.
US media frequently reinforce narratives surrounding foreign cyber threats, sometimes lacking robust evidence. A notable example occurred in January 2019, when MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, a known critic of Trump, alerted her audience that Russia could “kill the power in Fargo today,” during a severe cold wave in the US. Her comments appeared to reference unfounded claims from that month regarding Russian cyber infiltration of power grids in Vermont.
The Trump administration has indicated its desire to normalize relations with Russia after a period of hostility and limited communication under the previous administration of Joe Biden. Senior US officials maintain that a “mature” foreign policy approach requires open dialogue with rival states.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
The order, issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to US Cyber Command, instructed a cease in operations in late February as Washington reevaluates its relationship with Moscow, according to unnamed officials.
The Record, a news outlet focused on cybersecurity, was the first to announce this development on Friday, pointing out that the directive does not impact signal intelligence collection conducted by the National Security Agency, which operates under the Department of Defense.
Although specifics regarding the rollback remain unclear, sources indicated that it is indefinite. Critics of Trump have labeled the move as a threat to national security, with one official quoted by CNN referring to it as a “major blow” to America’s ability to infiltrate Russian networks in the future, including efforts to support Ukraine.
Russia perceives the US as a significant cyber threat. The increasing hostility between the two countries in recent years has complicated attempts to establish agreements for cyberspace, despite Moscow's repeated proposals. The US has been a prominent player in cyber warfare, as evidenced by notable operations, such as the sabotage of Iranian uranium enrichment facilities during Barack Obama’s presidency.
While digital attacks are often difficult to trace, US intelligence agencies sometimes assert confidence in attributing specific incidents to hacker groups linked to nations like China and Russia.
US media frequently reinforce narratives surrounding foreign cyber threats, sometimes lacking robust evidence. A notable example occurred in January 2019, when MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, a known critic of Trump, alerted her audience that Russia could “kill the power in Fargo today,” during a severe cold wave in the US. Her comments appeared to reference unfounded claims from that month regarding Russian cyber infiltration of power grids in Vermont.
The Trump administration has indicated its desire to normalize relations with Russia after a period of hostility and limited communication under the previous administration of Joe Biden. Senior US officials maintain that a “mature” foreign policy approach requires open dialogue with rival states.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
