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Russian Police Seize Over 3,200 Crypto Mining Rigs in Siberia Raids
Russian police have seized over 3,200 crypto mining rigs in raids on four large “illegal” data centers in Siberia. The Novosibirsk branch of the Russian power provider Rosseti, via RBC Crypto, reported that police officers have charged the mining center operators with criminal charges.
Illegal Crypto Mining ‘Network’ Shut Down in Novosibirsk
Rosseti revealed that the centers were operating as part of an interconnected “network” and were located in different parts of the city of Novosibirsk. The power firm estimated that the miners stole a combined total of $2.1 million worth of electricity from the Novosibirsk grid.
Police officers conducted searches and confiscated nine power transformers and 3,225 cryptocurrency mining devices.
Crypto Mining Farms Found All Around City, Police Say
Police raided facilities near a wastewater treatment plant, in a forest on the outskirts of the Leninsky District, near a city landfill on the left bank of the River Ob, and in a private sector area in the Kalininsky District. All four mining farms were equipped with modern power equipment, but none of them were using legal connections to power grids.
Rosseti explained that the operators carried out electricity theft on an industrial scale and could face jail time if convicted.
Crackdown Continues
Power firms have been targeting illegal crypto mining in crackdowns both in Siberia and beyond in recent months. In February, an illegal crypto mining farm with 100 ASIC miners was discovered on the outskirts of Novosibirsk. Irkutsk Oblast officials shut down a 217-rig mining farm in late March, with a 35-year-old man charged with stealing $11,000 worth of power.
In 2023, Rosseti and local police shut down 17 “illegal mining farms” in the cities of Krasnoyarsk, Omsk, and Khakassia. Further raids were carried out in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and Khakassia, as well as the Omsk Oblast. Rosseti previously announced it had closed down 36 “illegal” crypto mining farms in the Republic of Dagestan since 2022.
The fate of the industrial mining industry in Moscow is yet to be determined, as major firms express willingness to cooperate with the government on national IT projects using their new data centers.
Ian is a cryptocurrency enthusiast blending humor with professionalism. With an engineering background and a storyteller's heart, he simplifies the blockchain world with sharp analysis and a touch of wit. At Cryptowire, he brings his unique perspective to make digital financial innovation accessible to all.
