Multiple U.S. officials tell CBS News that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive to U.S. Cyber Command last month to pause planning against Russia, including provocative offensive cyber operations.

Russia has intensified cyber operations against Ukraine and NATO countries, according to previous U.S. intelligence and private sector reports.

It appears that the U.S. no longer considers Russia a significant cyber threat, according to multiple new reports on a drastic policy reversal that has taken hold under the new Trump administration.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has paused offensive cyberoperations against Russia by U.S. Cyber Command, rolling back some efforts to contend with a key adversary even as national security experts call for the U.

The pause that Hegseth ordered is meant to remain in effect while negotiations to end Russia’s war on Ukraine are ongoing, the Washington Post reported.

A U.S. official says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt offensive cyber operations against Russia. NBC News’ Yamiche Alcindor reports on how the Trump administration is changing its posture towards Russia amid tensions with Ukraine.

The problem is not just the Pentagon halting offensive cyber operations against Russia. It's also the series of related steps in the same direction.

The US has suspended operations and planning for offensive cyber operations against Russia, a senior US official told CNN. The suspension is “a major blow,” the official said, especially since planning for such operations takes time and research to carry out.