Russian authorities in the Republic of Buryatia recently uncovered an illegal cryptocurrency mining operation hidden inside a KamAZ truck. The operation was discovered to be siphoning electricity meant for a local village, highlighting the growing issue of power theft in the region. The authorities found 95 mining rigs and a mobile transformer within the truck, which was illegally tapping into the village's power supply. This discovery underscores the lengths to which some individuals will go to exploit resources for cryptocurrency mining, often at the expense of local communities.

The illegal mining operation was fully operational and had been set up to maximize the use of stolen electricity. The use of a mobile transformer allowed the miners to easily connect to the power grid, making it difficult for authorities to detect the theft. The discovery of this operation raises concerns about the potential for similar activities in other regions, as cryptocurrency mining continues to grow in popularity.

Energy workers discovered the operation during a regular check in the Pribaikalsky District. After technicians detected unusual activity in one of the 10-kilovolt lines, which is powerful enough to serve a whole village, they traced the origin. They discovered 95 mining devices and a transformer substation in the truck. These were strong enough to devour the electricity of a small village. This is the sixth instance of crypto miners stealing electricity in Buryatia this year, according to the power company Buryatenergo.

In an interesting twist, the crooks had attached the truck to the electric grid without authorization. Two suspects thought to be involved escaped in an SUV before police could interview them. The suspects are still on the loose despite the fact that the police in the area are currently investigating.

The problem of illegal mining is severe in Buryatia, where energy deficiency has caused seasonal limits. Between November 15 and March 15, mining is permitted only in Severo-Baikalsky and Muisky areas and that too by registered companies only. In other parts of the region and at peak months, mining is highly prohibited. Due to this fact, the energy system is greatly load tested by illegal activities such as the one performed in the KamAZ truck. Buryatenergo holds that these installations lead to power quality problems, voltage surges, and potential blackouts. Such disturbances cause problems to the neighboring houses and companies, and hence illegal mining poses as a hazard to the well-being of the people.

On a broader level, Russia is tightening its regulations on cryptocurrency mining. In February of 2025 the Ministry of Energy presented the proposal to establish the national registry of mining equipment. This registry will help in having all the miners well documented and working within the confines of the law. This action should help to minimize illegal activity with the benefit of shedding light on the crypto industry.

President Vladimir Putin has been very vocal in showing support to the crypto mining industry. During a 2024 speech at the Eastern Economic Forum, he said that Russia has taken the lead in bitcoin mining globally. As the driving force behind this success, he attributed the excess energy in the country, particularly in Siberia. Russia is said to have mined more than 54000 BTC in 2023. Still, the government has moved to restrict mining in vulnerable areas. In several republics and territories, such as Chechnya, Dagestan and some areas of Buryatia, mining is prohibited starting January 2025. Also, between January and March, mining is prohibited in regions that experience winter energy insufficiency. This is done as a bid to create a balance between economic opportunity and energy stability.

In short, the KamAZ truck incident is a warning. At the same time, although crypto mining is still widely popular in Russia, illegal mining is becoming the focus of more scrutiny. With the implementation of new rules, it is likely that enforcement will only get tighter, in energy constrained areas in particular.