Pentagon dismisses reports of halt to cyber operations versus Russia

Bloomberg reported the information, citing a senior defense official.

According to the report, Secretary Hegseth did not cancel or delay any cyber operations targeting malicious Russian actors. Sources confirmed that no order was given to abandon this priority.

The denial came in response to a U.S. media report alleging that Hegseth had directed U.S. Cyber Command to halt all plans, including offensive digital actions against Russia. The Washington Post and The New York Times later reported that unnamed officials had confirmed this claim.

The reports also sparked an angry reaction from Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said that the Trump administration was giving “free pass as Russia continues to launch cyber operations and ransomware attacks against critical American infrastructure.”

• Earlier, Reuters reported that the United States is developing a plan to potentially ease sanctions against Russia as President Donald Trump seeks to rebuild ties with Moscow and end the war in Ukraine.