Illegal Crypto Farm in Russia Drains Ministry of Defense Electricity
An illegal cryptocurrency mining operation in Russia’s Irkutsk region was discovered to be drawing power from the Russian Ministry of Defense’s electrical grid. The farm, located in the Angarsk urban district, was reportedly run by Igor Shemetov, an employee of the military town’s housing and utilities service. Investigators claim Shemetov exploited his access to install mining equipment without authorization, allowing the farm to operate for nearly a year. During this time, the electricity costs were covered by the military utility services, while Shemetov allegedly pocketed the profits.
The Investigative Committee emphasized that the mining operation consumed substantial electricity, causing significant financial damage to the Ministry of Defense. However, the exact amount of the losses was not disclosed.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of a government-imposed ban on cryptocurrency mining in the Angarsk district and 29 other areas of the Irkutsk region, which took effect in April 2025. The restriction also extends to mining through pools, making the operation particularly egregious. Similar cases of illegal mining have been reported elsewhere in Russia, including a discovery in the Bashkiria region where a mining farm was found on the grounds of a former children’s camp.