U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Halts Cyber Operations Against Russia – One America News Network
OAN Staff James Meyers
8:31 AM – Monday, March 3, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed U.S. Cyber Command to halt all cyber operations against Russia, including any offensive measures, according to sources familiar with the matter.
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This directive was issued to Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh, head of the command, in late February, though the duration of the order remains uncertain.
A senior defense official in the U.S. refrained from commenting on the decision “due to operational security concerns.”
“The safety of the Warfighter in all operations, including in cyberspace, is Secretary Hegseth’s top priority,” an official informed NBC News.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency emphasized that its “mission is to defend against all cyber threats to U.S. Critical Infrastructure, including those from Russia. Our posture remains unchanged.”
This decision follows President Donald Trump’s efforts to foster diplomatic relations with Russia, including reinstating embassy staffing, as the administration seeks to conclude the ongoing war.
During a meeting on Friday, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky experienced a clash, halting any advancement in their relationship.
“He’s got to say I want to make peace,” Trump stated before leaving the White House on Friday. “He shouldn’t just focus on negative comments about ‘Putin this, Putin that.’ He needs to express a desire for peace. I don’t want to fight a war any longer.”
This intense discussion delayed the signing of an agreement that would have provided the U.S. a significant ownership share in Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals, essential for various technology products.
Simultaneously, there has been a rise in ransomware attacks targeting U.S. hospitals, cities, and infrastructure over the past year.
Microsoft reported in November that Russian cyber operations had intensified, primarily aimed at Ukraine and NATO countries.
“Russian threat actors have concentrated on gaining access to and stealing intelligence from Ukrainian warfighters and their international partners supplying weapons. The strategies employed could unintentionally harm computer networks worldwide,” the company highlighted in its 2024 digital defense report.
On ABC’s “This Week” program Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the importance of bringing Russia to negotiations, yet he expressed uncertainty about Putin’s willingness to agree to end the conflict.
“You won’t succeed in getting them to the table by using disparaging remarks or adopting an aggressive stance,” he explained to the network. “That’s just not how someone who’s spent years negotiating deals in business operates.”
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