US stops cyber attacks against Russia

According to a source from technology site The Record on March 2, this decision was made by Defense Minister Pete Hegseth.

Citing three unnamed sources familiar with the matter, The Record said that US Marine Corps Major General Ryan Heritage, the outgoing executive director of the USCC, communicated the order to all component units last week.

The USCC, established in 2009, is one of the 11 U.S. military Unified Combatant Commands. It is responsible for coordinating and directing cyber operations within the Department of Defense, with significant autonomy from the National Security Agency (NSA), which has long led both defensive and offensive cyber operations for the U.S. military.

According to The Record, Hegseth’s order appears to cover all cyber operations against Russia. These operations are carried out by the USCC’s national task forces, as well as component units of the US military branches, including the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy. In addition, this order also applies to the US European Command (US EC). However, the NSA is not affected by this decision.

The specific scope and duration of the order remain unclear, but The Record said the move is further evidence of the White House’s efforts to normalize relations with Moscow as the Trump administration continues to push for a negotiated settlement to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In 2024, both Russia and the United States accused each other of cyberattacks against government agencies. However, to minimize escalation, the United States sent Russia a list of 16 critical infrastructures, including the country's water system and energy sector, that needed special protection, considering this a red line, warning Russia not to engage in any intrusive activities.

According to observers, it is very important for Russia and the US to determine the red line, helping both sides take steps to adjust so as not to escalate into a large-scale cyber attack or become a conflict beyond cyberspace.