According to a report by TASS on June 15, CoinWorld reported that authorities in the Republic of Buryatia (one of the autonomous republics of the Russian Federation) discovered 95 mining devices and a substation capable of supplying power to a small settlement on a Kamaz truck during a routine power line inspection in the Baikal Lake region. Meanwhile, two unidentified individuals (suspected truck drivers) fled the scene in an SUV. Buryat Energy Company emphasized that illegal connections have led to a decline in the quality of electricity supply for local residents, with risks of voltage surges, overloads, and disruptions in the power grid.
This is the sixth case of electricity theft using mining equipment discovered in the Republic of Buryatia since the beginning of this year. Due to energy shortages, all areas of the republic, except for the northern Baikal region and the Muysky district, have been officially prohibited from mining from November 15 to March 15. During the remaining time, only companies registered with special registration agencies are allowed to mine.