According to the press service of the FSB Directorate, a large illegal mining farm in Transbaikalia has been shut down: the network of equipment was connected to the PPGHO power grids and consumed electricity without metering. During searches, law enforcement officers seized mining equipment, and a criminal case was opened under clause "b" of part 2, Article 165 of the Russian Criminal Code. Separately, the draft protocol of the legal commission on electric power noted that from 2026, a year-round mining ban is planned in southern Buryatia and Transbaikalia.
Details of the Mining Farm Shutdown
Investigative actions and searches revealed that the mining equipment network was connected to the PPGHO power grids and operated without metering. According to the FSB press service, actual consumption volumes were deliberately understated, causing property damage to the electricity supplier. As a result, units of equipment used for cryptocurrency mining were seized on site.
- Connection to PPGHO power grids;
- Unmetered electricity consumption with understated volumes;
- Equipment seizure during searches.
Legal Consequences
Based on the identified violations, a criminal case was opened under clause "b" of part 2, Article 165 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers causing property damage through fraud or abuse of trust on a particularly large scale. This means the investigation considers the actions criminally punishable and aimed at causing significant damage to the electricity supplier. Further case development will depend on the evidence collected during investigative actions.
Plans for Mining Ban
The document from the legal commission on electric power states that from 2026, a year-round mining ban is planned in southern Buryatia and Transbaikalia. Additionally, local measures to restrict miners' activities are being discussed in neighboring regions, as reflected in materials about the mining ban in Buryatia. Such decisions impact the legal and operational landscape for miners in these territories.
Why This Matters
If you operate one or more mining farms, the seizure of equipment and the opened criminal case demonstrate that uncontrolled grid connections and manipulations with electricity metering can lead to serious legal consequences. Moreover, the planned ban from 2026 means that conditions for legal operations in southern Buryatia and Transbaikalia may become significantly stricter.
Even if you mine in another region, it is important to monitor changes in energy regulation and understand that precedents involving equipment seizures form the basis for tougher regional measures. For comparison, similar operations to shut down underground farms have been recorded in other regions, affecting both farm owners and electricity consumers.
What to Do?
If you have mining equipment, act proactively: verify the legality of your connection and electricity payments to avoid claims from suppliers and law enforcement. Ensure your equipment is accounted for in contracts with energy suppliers and that there are no bypass metering schemes that could be considered deliberate manipulations.
- Check contracts and technical conditions for connection to power grids; ensure official electricity consumption metering is in place.
- If using third-party sites or rentals, verify that connections and electricity payments are legally formalized.
- Monitor regional regulations and announcements about bans — details have already been published regarding farm shutdowns in other regions.
- If you receive claims from electricity suppliers or law enforcement, seek legal assistance and keep all documentation related to payments and connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was equipment seized? Yes, mining equipment was seized during searches, according to the FSB press service.
Under which article was the case opened? A criminal case was opened under clause "b" of part 2, Article 165 of the Russian Criminal Code (causing property damage through fraud or abuse of trust on a particularly large scale).
Will there be a mining ban? The draft protocol of the legal commission on electric power indicates that from 2026, a year-round mining ban is planned in southern Buryatia and Transbaikalia.