The pause in US cyber operations against Russia lasted only "one day"

At the beginning of March, the order stunned many observers: according to information reported by several American media outlets , Cyber ​​Command, within which hundreds of military personnel are responsible for thwarting Russia's plans and foiling its recurring cyber attacks against the United States, had received the order to suspend offensive cyber operations targeting the Kremlin.

A pause that, ultimately, would have lasted only one day. "I dug into this story. (…) It was just a one-day pause, typical during negotiations. (…) That's all I can say," said Don Bacon, chairman of the cyber subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, on Friday, May 16.

Since the press reports first appeared in March, there has been some uncertainty surrounding the scope and duration of this pause. Some sources speculated at the time that it might be routine in the context of negotiations between the United States and Russia on the Ukrainian issue, while others believed it was a sign of rapprochement between the two countries.

This is the first time a senior official has provided details on the matter, as no member of the Trump administration has yet spoken out by name. Several days after the incident, a Pentagon account denied any form of pause in digital operations targeting Russia. This denial is contradicted by Mr. Bacon's statement.

Several parliamentarians, including Don Bacon, have also expressed their willingness to question US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on his cyber policy, and in particular the dismissal in early April of the highly respected NSA Director Timothy Haugh.