Pentagon chief orders curbs on cyber attacks against Russia?

Specifically, according to The New York Times, sources including one current official and two former officials said that the above order was given before the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump at the White House - a meeting that later ended in tension.

The exact scope and duration of the US Department of Defense's restrictions are not yet known, as the line between offensive and defensive cyber operations is often blurred.

The New York Times also noted that maintaining access to Russian networks to gather information is crucial for the United States, especially for understanding Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions in the context of possible negotiations.

Former officials warn that Washington’s decision to halt cyber operations against Russia is a risky bet, as it is unclear whether Russia will end its cyberwarfare operations against the United States and European countries, which the United States has provided significant assistance to in response to Russian cyberattacks.

During Trump's first term, the US Cyber ​​Command was given additional powers, allowing it to conduct cyberattacks without direct approval from the President.

One such operation involved “testing” Russia’s power grid, likely intended to send a dire warning about the consequences of a Russian attack on critical US infrastructure. Multiple news outlets, including The New York Times, reported on the operation.

At the time, Mr. Trump called the leaking of information about the campaign online “treason,” but former aides later revealed that Mr. Trump was deeply concerned about how it would affect his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.