Russian Police Seize Truck-Based Crypto Mining Farm Tied to Illegal Power Use

In Brief:

Authorities in Buryatia seized a mobile mining farm illegally tapping a 10kV power line.

95 mining rigs and a transformer were confiscated amid growing grid risk concerns.

Police in Russia's Buryat Republic recently uncovered an illegal cryptocurrency mining operation disguised as a vehicle-mounted facility. The operation had unlawfully connected to a 10-kilovolt power transmission line, drawing energy equivalent to that of a small residential area. Authorities seized 95 mining machines and one transformer after utility staff discovered the unauthorized connection during a routine inspection.

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This marks the sixth such case in the region this year. Local rules restrict crypto mining to licensed entities and only during specific months to prevent grid overload. Energy officials warned that illegal setups can destabilize voltage levels and increase the risk of power failures for nearby residents.

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