U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly directed U.S. Cyber Command to pause planning for offensive cyber operations against Russia, according to multiple officials.

Axar.az, citing CBS news, reports that the directive, issued last month, coincides with President Trump's diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the Russia- Ukraine war. However, the exact duration and scope of the pause remain unclear.

While the order affected planning, officials clarified that overall U.S. cyber policy toward Russia remains unchanged. Strategic preparations for future operations were not halted, and there is no indication that existing cyber defenses or intelligence efforts have been impacted.

The National Security Council (NSC) and the Department of Defense declined to comment on specific cyber operations, citing security concerns.

NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to national security, while Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Mike Turner and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, denied having knowledge of the directive.

Previous U.S. administrations have sometimes paused military or intelligence operations during sensitive diplomatic negotiations to prevent misinterpretations and maintain diplomatic leverage. However, this latest move raises questions about how it might influence ongoing cyber conflicts between the U.S. and Russia.