Russian police discovered a truck stealing electricity and engaging in illegal cryptocurrency mining in the Baikal Lake region

According to TASS, authorities in the Republic of Buryatia (one of the autonomous republics of the Russian Federation) discovered during routine power line inspections in the Baikal Lake region that 95 mining equipment and a substation capable of supplying power to small settlements were found on a Kamaz truck. At the same time, 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 grid interruptions. Since the beginning of this year, this is the sixth case of electricity theft using mining equipment discovered in the Republic of Buryatia. Due to energy shortages, mining was officially banned in all areas of the Republic except for the North Baikal Lake and Muyski districts from November 15th to March 15th. During the remaining time, only companies registered with special registration agencies can mine.