Russian Authorities Bust Mobile Crypto Mining Farm in Buryatia

• Crypto miners arrested, $38K stolen power uncovered
• Equipment worth 6.5 million rubles seized

On January 13, 2026, Cryptopolitan reported the takedown of a mobile cryptocurrency mining farm in Russia’s Republic of Buryatia. The operation, concealed within a truck and consisting of 100 mining rigs, ran on stolen electricity. Authorities arrested five individuals connected to the setup and seized equipment valued at 6.5 million rubles. Financial damages from the stolen electricity exceeded 3 million rubles over just a few days.

The mobile mining farm highlights the increasingly inventive tactics used by illegal crypto miners in Russia to avoid detection. This operation in Buryatia is part of a broader crackdown on unauthorized mining activities across the nation. In another recent incident, authorities discovered a similar mobile mining farm in Dagestan in late 2025.

Russia’s attitude toward crypto mining has toughened considerably in recent years. Although crypto mining became legal in late 2024, many regions, citing energy concerns, have imposed restrictions or outright bans. Buryatia, where this operation was discovered, plans to extend its existing seasonal mining bans into a year-round prohibition starting in 2026.

In response to challenges posed by illegal mining activities, Russia is preparing a more comprehensive cryptocurrency regulatory framework for 2026. Proposed legislation includes criminal penalties for illicit mining operations and administrative fines for less severe violations. The Ministry of Justice is currently drafting amendments to integrate mining-related offenses into the Criminal Code. In addition, authorities have adopted advanced tracking techniques such as smart meters, network monitoring systems, and drone-based thermal imaging to detect unregistered mining setups.

Despite these efforts, experts note that new restrictive measures will likely remain region-specific, targeting areas grappling with severe power shortages. Nonetheless, Russia’s evolving regulations and enforcement strategies are expected to significantly reshape the country’s crypto mining landscape in the coming years.